I think the verdict was not based on Anti-Americasim as the boyfriend was Italian and was also convicted.
I think the irresponsible journalisam and charactor assasination on a persons character to sell newspapers and gain T.V ratings reflect badly on English journalisam. I think this must have effected the thinking of a jury allowed to be exposed to such media frency.
Sadly English jounalisam has been responsible for helping convict innocent people in the past. The wimbeldon Common murder and false conviction of Colin Stagg was a classic example.
I also remember how In America (Many years ago)a AU-Pair from England was convicted of shaking a baby to death. The English Press sure of her innocence created such an outcry that the girls sentence was overturned.
The press has such power to control the thinking of its public. Poor old (Gay) Oscur Wilde compared with the now sympathetic attitude to the death of the boy Zone star. I remember how the press nearly destroyed Elton John because of his sexuality.
They slaughterd Gary Glitter but were more sympathetic to Pete Townsend of the Who.
Acolytes