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Kercher's murderer starts appeal Kercher's murderer starts appeal
(about 1 hour later)
A man jailed for 30 years for murdering the British exchange student Meredith Kercher in Italy has begun an appeal.A man jailed for 30 years for murdering the British exchange student Meredith Kercher in Italy has begun an appeal.
"Today we'll prove Rudy Guede's innocence," his lawyer, Valter Biscotti, said before the hearing in Perugia, the news agency AP reports."Today we'll prove Rudy Guede's innocence," his lawyer, Valter Biscotti, said before the hearing in Perugia, the news agency AP reports.
Meredith Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was found dead in her bedroom two years ago. Her throat had been cut.Meredith Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was found dead in her bedroom two years ago. Her throat had been cut.
The trial of two other people accused of her murder, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito began in January.The trial of two other people accused of her murder, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito began in January.
Guede, 22, who is originally from Ivory Coast, arrived at court handcuffed and wearing jeans and a grey sweater.Guede, 22, who is originally from Ivory Coast, arrived at court handcuffed and wearing jeans and a grey sweater.
He has always denied wrongdoing.He has always denied wrongdoing.
Sex gameSex game
Guede says he was in the bathroom when Ms Kercher was attacked, and rushed into the bedroom to try to rescue her.Guede says he was in the bathroom when Ms Kercher was attacked, and rushed into the bedroom to try to rescue her.
He was convicted of murder and sexual violence in a fast-track trial last year.He was convicted of murder and sexual violence in a fast-track trial last year.
Ms Knox, 22, a US student, shared a flat in Perugia with Ms Kercher, a Leeds University student.Ms Knox, 22, a US student, shared a flat in Perugia with Ms Kercher, a Leeds University student.
Mr Sollecito, a 25-year-old Italian, is Ms Knox's former boyfriend.Mr Sollecito, a 25-year-old Italian, is Ms Knox's former boyfriend.
Prosecutors say Ms Kercher was killed by all three after she refused to take part in a sex game.Prosecutors say Ms Kercher was killed by all three after she refused to take part in a sex game.
Rudy Guede is appealing against his conviction for murdering Ms Kercher
'Miss her''Miss her'
Ms Knox, who is from Seattle, says she spent the night of the murder at Mr Sollecito's house elsewhere in the Umbrian town.Ms Knox, who is from Seattle, says she spent the night of the murder at Mr Sollecito's house elsewhere in the Umbrian town.
Mr Sollecito says he was at home working on his computer that night and does not remember whether Ms Knox spent the whole night with him or just part of it.Mr Sollecito says he was at home working on his computer that night and does not remember whether Ms Knox spent the whole night with him or just part of it.
A verdict in their trial is expected next month.A verdict in their trial is expected next month.
The family of Ms Kercher have spoken of their wish for a conclusion to the long-running proceedings.The family of Ms Kercher have spoken of their wish for a conclusion to the long-running proceedings.
"The two years since Meredith's death have passed very quickly. But we still miss her more than ever," a statement released through Ms Kercher's family's lawyer earlier this month said."The two years since Meredith's death have passed very quickly. But we still miss her more than ever," a statement released through Ms Kercher's family's lawyer earlier this month said.
"We can only hope now that a conclusion is reached in the next five weeks, so that we can finally dedicate ourselves to remember Meredith for the person that all of us knew and not as a victim or as a news item.""We can only hope now that a conclusion is reached in the next five weeks, so that we can finally dedicate ourselves to remember Meredith for the person that all of us knew and not as a victim or as a news item."