This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7873702.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Kercher trial to resume in Italy | Kercher trial to resume in Italy |
(about 4 hours 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 Micheli also said Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, south London, 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 sessions | Private 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. |