File image of Maria Cantwell by Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Reaction to the guilty verdict in Amanda Knox’s trial was swift in coming as one member of Washington state’s congressional delegation vowed to pursue a review of the ruling through international diplomatic channels.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., expressed serious concern about the conduct of the trial and “flaws in the Italian justice system” and said she would convey her concerns to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

“I am saddened by the verdict and I have serious questions about the Italian justice system and whether anti-Americanism tainted this trial,” Cantwell said. “The prosecution did not present enough evidence for an impartial jury to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Knox was guilty.”

Sen. Cantwell added that “flaws in the Italian justice system” were on display in this case and “included the harsh treatment of Ms. Knox following her arrest, negligent handling of evidence by investigators and pending charges of misconduct against one of the prosecutors stemming from another murder trial.”

“I am in contact with the U.S. ambassador to Italy and have been since the time of Ms. Knox’s arrest,” Cantwell said. “I will be conveying my concerns to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I have also been in touch with the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C.”