**Perugia Residents Upset Over New Hulu Series on 2007 Murder Case**

**Seventeen years post-tragedy, the community of Perugia seeks closure amid ongoing media attention.**

Seventeen years after the tragic murder of British student Meredith Kercher, the Italian city of Perugia is grappling with renewed attention from a Hulu series centering on the case of Amanda Knox, who was charged and later acquitted in connection with the crime. The arrival of the production team has sparked significant backlash amongst residents, many of whom wish to leave this painful chapter behind.

Amidst the filming, Perugia’s Mayor Vittoria Fernandi issued a public apology to the community for the distress the filming brought. Citizens expressed their discomfort through various means, including one poignant gesture where a local hung a sheet from a balcony reading "Respect for Meredith," a tribute to the young victim whose murder continues to overshadow the city’s reputation.

Local officials, including council members, have publicly questioned whether it was appropriate to permit such a production in a city where the narrative of the case has long eclipsed its rich history and cultural heritage. An editorial from the regional newspaper La Nazione raised concerns that both Meredith's memory and the dignity of the city deserved more respect, arguing against commodifying tragedy for entertainment.

Despite Amanda Knox's acquittal and her emerging voice as part of the project—serving as one of the executive producers—many locals are frustrated that the series not only casts a shadow over their community but also overlooks Knox's own victimization through the trials she endured. “She too is a victim in this case,” remarked Luca Luparia Donati of the Italy Innocence Project, emphasizing the collateral damage this renewed scrutiny brings.

As filming continues in Perugia, the hope among residents remains that future narratives can honor the past without reopening old wounds.