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Meredith accused kept behind bars Meredith accused kept behind bars
(about 1 hour later)
Italy's highest appeal court has ruled two suspects in UK student Meredith Kercher's murder must stay in jail in case they flee the country.Italy's highest appeal court has ruled two suspects in UK student Meredith Kercher's murder must stay in jail in case they flee the country.
Sitting on Monday, judges described the personality of American Amanda Knox, 20, as "negative" and that of Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, as "peculiar". On Monday, judges said the personality of American Amanda Knox, 20, was "negative" and that of Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, was "peculiar".
Hermann Guede, 21, from Ivory Coast, was also ordered to stay behind bars.Hermann Guede, 21, from Ivory Coast, was also ordered to stay behind bars.
All deny sexually assaulting and murdering Miss Kercher, 21, of south London, in Italy in November.All deny sexually assaulting and murdering Miss Kercher, 21, of south London, in Italy in November.
No commentNo comment
Reviewing the evidence against the suspects, the judges cited Miss Knox's poor attitude to court proceedings and the fact that she had repeatedly contradicted herself when giving testimony. Making public a ruling made on 1 April, the judges cited Miss Knox's poor attitude to court proceedings and the fact that she had repeatedly contradicted herself when giving testimony.
They also made reference to Mr Sollecito's habitual use of drugs.They also made reference to Mr Sollecito's habitual use of drugs.
There was a serious risk that the pair, who are boyfriend and girlfriend, might flee the country, the judges added. There was a serious risk that the pair, who were boyfriend and girlfriend, might flee the country, the judges added.
Members of Miss Kercher's family attended the hearing. Members of Miss Kercher's family attended the court.
Miss Kercher was found dead under a duvet with her throat cut in her bedroom in the city of Perugia on 2 November.Miss Kercher was found dead under a duvet with her throat cut in her bedroom in the city of Perugia on 2 November.
Her mother Arline, brother Lyle and sister Stephanie made no comment to reporters as they arrived at court in Perugia.Her mother Arline, brother Lyle and sister Stephanie made no comment to reporters as they arrived at court in Perugia.
The closed court hearing was held to discuss evidence in the case before possible charges and a trial. Only one of the suspects was in attendance.
Only one of the suspects attended the hearing. Mr Sollecito, 24, a student, was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs.
Mr Sollecito, 24, a student and boyfriend of Miss Knox, was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs.
'Murder weapon''Murder weapon'
Last week the results of a new post-mortem examination found Miss Kercher may not have been sexually assaulted before her murder.Last week the results of a new post-mortem examination found Miss Kercher may not have been sexually assaulted before her murder.
Police had previously said there was evidence of a violent sexual encounter but the report said it was not possible to say whether she had been assaulted.Police had previously said there was evidence of a violent sexual encounter but the report said it was not possible to say whether she had been assaulted.
It added that a knife from a suspect's house could be the murder weapon.It added that a knife from a suspect's house could be the murder weapon.
All three suspects deny involvement in the student's death and have not been charged.All three suspects deny involvement in the student's death and have not been charged.
The next stage in the case, in May, is likely to see the three defendants together for questioning either in court or in an interview room.
They can be held for up to a year before trial.They can be held for up to a year before trial.