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Kercher's killers ' known to her' Knox: Do not brand me an assassin
(20 minutes later)
British student Meredith Kercher was killed because she knew "all three of her attackers", a court has heard. Amanda Knox, who is accused of murdering British student Meredith Kercher, has told a court she does not want to be branded an assassin.
Francesco Maresca, the Kercher family's lawyer, said Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito and a third man, had reached a point of no return. Her voice trembled as she addressed the jury in Italy that is expected to deliver its verdict later this week.
Miss Knox, 22, and her former boyfriend Sollecito, 25, deny charges of murder and sexual violence involving Miss Kercher, 21, of Coulsdon, Surrey. Earlier it heard Miss Kercher, 21, of Coulsdon, Surrey, had been killed as she had known her three "attackers".
The Italian jury is expected to retire on Thursday to consider its verdict. Miss Knox, 22, and her Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 25, deny charges of murder and sexual violence.
Rudy Guede, 22, from Ivory Coast, was jailed for 30 years after he was convicted in a separate trial. He has launched an appeal against his conviction.Rudy Guede, 22, from Ivory Coast, was jailed for 30 years after he was convicted in a separate trial. He has launched an appeal against his conviction.
'Sexual violence''Sexual violence'
Miss Knox, who has been in jail for two years, told the court people often asked her how she managed to stay so calm.
Speaking in Italian she said: "The first thing to say is that I am not calm.
Is the behaviour of Amanda Knox at the police station logical when Meredith's body was still warm? Francesco Maresca, Kercher family lawyer
"I am afraid of being defined as something I am not and by actions that are not mine.
"I'm afraid of having the mask of a murderer forced on to my skin."
She added she was "confused, sad, frustrated" about the length of time she had been in jail.
Prosecutors say Miss Kercher was murdered in a drug-fuelled sexual assault. The Leeds University student was found dead in her flat in Perugia, central Italy, in November 2007.Prosecutors say Miss Kercher was murdered in a drug-fuelled sexual assault. The Leeds University student was found dead in her flat in Perugia, central Italy, in November 2007.
Mr Maresca said Miss Kercher had been killed because her attackers had known they would otherwise be punished for what they had done. Francesco Maresca, the Kercher family's lawyer, said Miss Kercher had been killed because her attackers had known they would otherwise be punished for what they had done.
"Meredith was killed because she knew all three of her attackers," he said."Meredith was killed because she knew all three of her attackers," he said.
"The murder happened step by step, sexual violence and then murder.""The murder happened step by step, sexual violence and then murder."
He said Miss Knox's and Mr Sollecito's behaviour was evidence of their guilt.He said Miss Knox's and Mr Sollecito's behaviour was evidence of their guilt.
Miss Knox reportedly turned cartwheels at the police station while she was waiting to be questioned about the murder of her housemate.Miss Knox reportedly turned cartwheels at the police station while she was waiting to be questioned about the murder of her housemate.
"Is the behaviour of Amanda Knox at the police station logical when Meredith's body was still warm?" said Mr Maresca. "Is it logical to say that this murder was carried out by just one person?"Is the behaviour of Amanda Knox at the police station logical when Meredith's body was still warm?" said Mr Maresca. "Is it logical to say that this murder was carried out by just one person?
"Is it logical that these young people had their phones switched off on that night when young people usually have their phones on the whole time?""Is it logical that these young people had their phones switched off on that night when young people usually have their phones on the whole time?"