Amanda Knox does not want to return to Italy. Amanda was acquitted on appeal by an Italian court in 2011 for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. In a recent interview with Matt Lauer she explained the reason for her hesitation at the prospects of returning.

“I was already imprisoned as an innocent person in Italy, and I can’t reconcile the choice to go back with that experience. It’s not a possibility, as I was imprisoned as an innocent person and I just can’t relive that. I don’t think I’m going to be put back in prison. I think that we’re going to win. That’s why I’m fighting this fight, that’s why I continue to put forth the defensive argument in court.”

The following video shows the interview between Amanda Knox and Matt Lauer.

Amanda Knox maintains her innocence and claims that refusing to return for the retrial is proof of her innocence and not an indication of guilt. “I look at it as an admission of innocence, to be quite honest. Besides the fact that there are so many factors that are not allowing me to go back, financial ones, ones where I’m going to school, ones where I want the court to proceed without distraction. I was imprisoned as an innocent person. It’s common sense not to go back,” Knox said.

Though unwilling to return to Italy for the retrial, the possibility still traumatizes Amanda.

“I have to prepare in my mind what that would be like. I thought about what it would be like to live my entire life in prison and to lose everything, to lose what I’ve been able to come back to and rebuild. I think about it all the time. It’s so scary. Everything’s at stake,” she said.

Many remain unconvinced by Amanda’s innocence. Debates abound whether the U.S. should demand that Amanda Knox return. If the tables were turned and an Italian citizen was accused of murdering a U.S. citizen would expectations demand said individual return for the judicial process within the United States?

[Image And Videos Via YouTube]