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Kercher trial to resume in Italy Kercher accused 'could not kill'
(about 3 hours later)
The first witness testimony is expected to be heard as the Meredith Kercher murder trial resumes in the Italian city of Perugia. A man accused of murdering British student Meredith Kercher has told an Italian court that he would find it "hard to kill a fly".
American Amanda Knox, 21, and Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, deny killing the British exchange student. Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and his American ex-girlfriend Amanda Knox, 21, deny killing the 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. Murder scene
Prosecutors allege that the trio killed Miss Kercher, who was studying alongside Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito in Perugia, after she refused to participate in an extreme sex game.
But as the trial heard its first witness testimony, Mr Sollecito told the court that he was a victim of a "judicial error", and described his situation as "completely unreal". I don't know why I'm still in this situation Raffaele Sollecito
"I have nothing to do with this case," he told the packed Perugia court.
"I'm not a violent person.
"People who know me know that I find it hard to kill a fly. I don't know why I'm still in this situation."
He said his relationship with Miss Knox, 21, was "sentimental".
He added that he had not been with Knox long enough for them to want to involve others in their sex life.
Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito were appearing in court for the first time following 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. 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.Meredith Kercher was in Perugia as part of an exchange programme
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 . Mr Sollecito's account that he was downloading a cartoon at his home when Miss Kercher was murdered was contradicted by the first witness called.
Private sessions Postal police chief Filippo Batolozzi said no activity had been detected on Mr Sollecito's computer between 2110 GMT on 1 November and 0532 GMT the next morning.
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. He also described how police were sent to Miss Kercher's home after her two mobile phones were found in a neighbour's garden after her death.
The neighbours who found the phone are also expected to give evidence. International press
The hearing opened with legal arguments, with Miss Knox's lawyers arguing that evidence about her accusing innocent local bar owner Diya "Patrick" Lumumba of the murder should not be admissible.
Lawyers for the Mr Lumumba wanted her accusation to form part of a civil case he is bringing against her.
Italy's High Court had ruled it inadmissible as she had no lawyer present when initially questioned.
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.