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Kercher trial to resume in Italy Kercher trial to resume in Italy
(10 minutes later)
The first witness testimony is expected to be heard as the Meredith Kercher murder trial resumes in the Italian city of Perugia.The first witness testimony is expected to be heard as the Meredith Kercher murder trial resumes in the Italian city of Perugia.
American Amanda Knox, 21, and Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, deny killing the British exchange student.American Amanda Knox, 21, and Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, deny killing the British exchange student.
Miss Kercher was found stabbed to death at the apartment she shared with Miss Knox in November 2007.Miss Kercher was found stabbed to death at the apartment she shared with Miss Knox in November 2007.
A third suspect - 21-year-old Rudy Hermann Guede, born in Ivory Coast - was jailed last October for 30 years.A third suspect - 21-year-old Rudy Hermann Guede, born in Ivory Coast - was jailed last October for 30 years.
He opted for a fast-track trial, separate from the other defendants.He opted for a fast-track trial, separate from the other defendants.
Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito are due to appear in court for the first time since the publication of an official report, which placed Miss Knox at the murder scene.Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito are due to appear in court for the first time since the publication of an official report, which placed Miss Knox at the murder scene.
The sentencing report was published by the trial judge, Paolo Micheli, after Guede's conviction.The sentencing report was published by the trial judge, Paolo Micheli, after Guede's conviction.
Judge Micheli wrote that he believed that Amanda Knox was the one who let Guede through the front door into the house where Miss Kercher was found murdered.Judge Micheli wrote that he believed that Amanda Knox was the one who let Guede through the front door into the house where Miss Kercher was found murdered.
Mr Michelli also said Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was the victim of a plan to satisfy her assailants' sexual instincts, which went out of control. Mr Micheli also said Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was the victim of a plan to satisfy her assailants' sexual instincts, which went out of control.
His comments echo prosecutors' claim that the Leeds University student was killed as part of a bungled sex game involving Guede, Miss Knox, from Seattle, and the American's ex-boyfriend Mr Sollecito .His comments echo prosecutors' claim that the Leeds University student was killed as part of a bungled sex game involving Guede, Miss Knox, from Seattle, and the American's ex-boyfriend Mr Sollecito .
Private sessionsPrivate sessions
The court is expected to be shown a mobile phone, said to have belonged to Miss Kercher, which prosecutors will use to open their case against Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito.The court is expected to be shown a mobile phone, said to have belonged to Miss Kercher, which prosecutors will use to open their case against Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito.
The neighbours who found the phone are also expected to give evidence.The neighbours who found the phone are also expected to give evidence.
Miss Kercher had been studying in Perugia as part of the Erasmus student exchange programme.Miss Kercher had been studying in Perugia as part of the Erasmus student exchange programme.
At an earlier hearing, a lawyer for the Kercher family had tried to bar the press and public to stop some evidence being made public.At an earlier hearing, a lawyer for the Kercher family had tried to bar the press and public to stop some evidence being made public.
But Judge Micheli denied the request, while reserving the right to hold some sessions in private.But Judge Micheli denied the request, while reserving the right to hold some sessions in private.
He said the court would decide on a case-by-case basis when to do this.He said the court would decide on a case-by-case basis when to do this.
A large number of journalists from the national and international press have descended on Perugia for the beginning of the trial, which could last much of the year.A large number of journalists from the national and international press have descended on Perugia for the beginning of the trial, which could last much of the year.