Amanda Knox was shocked and hyperventilating when she saw a TV newscast in her Italian prison cell this weekend about Hayden Panetierre playing her in the Lifetime TV movie “Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy.”
The news report included disturbing clips from a movie trailer for the film, which includes a gritty portrayal of the murder of Knox’s British roommate Meredith Kercher as well as sex scenes.
Knox’s stepfather Chris Mellas told ABC News that in her weekly phone call home, Knox was emotional and said, “I was physically ill when I saw the images. I thought I was going to throw up.”
Knox, who was 20 at the time of the murder, explained how strange it was to see a “girl who looked like her, dressed like her, playing her life,” the stepfather said. Knox, who is now 23, fought back tears during the phone call, explaining her frustration with having no control over her life and how her life is being portrayed. Her family said she is not aware of the magnitude of the press surrounding her life, and that she avoids watching television and readings newspapers.
Knox’s lawyers faxed, emailed and couriered Lifetime TV a formal complaint on Feb. 3. If Lifetime doesn’t respond by Feb. 10, Knox’s lawyers will take legal action, the complaint states.
The family of Amanda Knox tried to get Panettiere to meet with the imprisoned American before starring in the new Lifetime movie.
Full Story: Amanda Knox surprised by movie trailer on cellmate’s TV