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Pair convicted of Kercher murder Pair convicted of Kercher murder
(about 1 hour later)
American student Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend have been found guilty by an Italian court of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher.American student Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend have been found guilty by an Italian court of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher.
Knox, 22, bowed her head and burst into tears as she was jailed for 26 years for murder and sexual violence.Knox, 22, bowed her head and burst into tears as she was jailed for 26 years for murder and sexual violence.
Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 25, looked impassive as he was given 25 years.Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 25, looked impassive as he was given 25 years.
Miss Kercher, 21, a Leeds University student from Surrey, was found with her throat slit in Perugia in 2007. Knox had denied killing her in a sex game.Miss Kercher, 21, a Leeds University student from Surrey, was found with her throat slit in Perugia in 2007. Knox had denied killing her in a sex game.
We have obtained truth and justice for this tragic event Francesco MarescaKercher family lawyer Murder scene: Kercher flatWe have obtained truth and justice for this tragic event Francesco MarescaKercher family lawyer Murder scene: Kercher flat
But prosecutors said Sollecito held her down while Knox stabbed her to death.But prosecutors said Sollecito held her down while Knox stabbed her to death.
Knox buried her head in her lawyer's chest, sobbing, after the judge read the verdict to a hushed court.Knox buried her head in her lawyer's chest, sobbing, after the judge read the verdict to a hushed court.
Her sister Deanna wept uncontrollably as Knox was led out of court crying.Her sister Deanna wept uncontrollably as Knox was led out of court crying.
Miss Kercher's family lawyer, Francesco Maresca, said they were satisfied with the verdict.Miss Kercher's family lawyer, Francesco Maresca, said they were satisfied with the verdict.
'Media lies''Media lies'
He said: "They got the justice they were expecting. We got what we were hoping for.He said: "They got the justice they were expecting. We got what we were hoping for.
"With what we got with the Guede sentence last year, we have obtained truth and justice for this tragic event.""With what we got with the Guede sentence last year, we have obtained truth and justice for this tragic event."
AT THE SCENE Matt Cole, BBC News, PerugiaAT THE SCENE Matt Cole, BBC News, Perugia
The courtroom was packed as the judge and jurors filed in. Despite the numbers a complete hush fell on the room as the lead judge began to deliver the verdict.The courtroom was packed as the judge and jurors filed in. Despite the numbers a complete hush fell on the room as the lead judge began to deliver the verdict.
Amanda Knox stood looking down as she learned her fate. At first there seemed little reaction, then she turned and buried her head into the chest of her lawyer. It was then that her head and shoulders began to shake as sobs came.Amanda Knox stood looking down as she learned her fate. At first there seemed little reaction, then she turned and buried her head into the chest of her lawyer. It was then that her head and shoulders began to shake as sobs came.
The eldest of Amanda's sisters, Deanna, had been crying even before the verdict. Her cries worsened once she learned the verdict of her sister. In contrast, Raffaele Sollecito stood almost impassive as he learned his future.The eldest of Amanda's sisters, Deanna, had been crying even before the verdict. Her cries worsened once she learned the verdict of her sister. In contrast, Raffaele Sollecito stood almost impassive as he learned his future.
As the full verdict was read out, the gaze of each of the six jurors seemed almost fixed to the court's back wall from where a crumbling fresco of the Virgin Mary and Child looked down.As the full verdict was read out, the gaze of each of the six jurors seemed almost fixed to the court's back wall from where a crumbling fresco of the Virgin Mary and Child looked down.
Only occasionally did those who decided the fate of Knox and Sollecito allow their gaze to flick to those who they had found guilty.Only occasionally did those who decided the fate of Knox and Sollecito allow their gaze to flick to those who they had found guilty.
Knox's father, Curt, stood emotionless throughout. He only moved when his eldest child had been led away, surrounded and supported by blue-capped prison guards.Knox's father, Curt, stood emotionless throughout. He only moved when his eldest child had been led away, surrounded and supported by blue-capped prison guards.
The Kercher family are due to hold a press conference at a hotel in Perugia at 1000 GMT.The Kercher family are due to hold a press conference at a hotel in Perugia at 1000 GMT.
Knox's family, meanwhile, left court in tears, fighting through the crowds of journalists gathered outside. Her father, Curt, told the BBC "we will fight on".Knox's family, meanwhile, left court in tears, fighting through the crowds of journalists gathered outside. Her father, Curt, told the BBC "we will fight on".
Relatives and friends in Knox's home city of Seattle clasped hands as they waited for the verdict.Relatives and friends in Knox's home city of Seattle clasped hands as they waited for the verdict.
Her uncle, Mick Huff, cried "Oh God, no" when it was announced and other friends buried their faces in their hands.Her uncle, Mick Huff, cried "Oh God, no" when it was announced and other friends buried their faces in their hands.
Her grandmother, Elisabeth Huff, added: "They didn't listen to the facts of the case. All they did was listen to the media's lies."Her grandmother, Elisabeth Huff, added: "They didn't listen to the facts of the case. All they did was listen to the media's lies."
The court ordered Knox and Sollecito to pay one million euros to Miss Kercher's mother and the same amount to her father.The court ordered Knox and Sollecito to pay one million euros to Miss Kercher's mother and the same amount to her father.
Her siblings would each receive 800,000 euros, the court ruled.Her siblings would each receive 800,000 euros, the court ruled.
Knox was told she must also pay 40,000 euros compensation to local barman Patrick Lumumba, for falsely accusing him of the murder.Knox was told she must also pay 40,000 euros compensation to local barman Patrick Lumumba, for falsely accusing him of the murder.
The pair committed the killing with small-time drug dealer Rudy Guede, 22, who was jailed for 30 years for murder and sexual violence last October.The pair committed the killing with small-time drug dealer Rudy Guede, 22, who was jailed for 30 years for murder and sexual violence last October.
Police are still not certain why Knox, Sollecito and Guede were all at the house together, although they suspect it involved a drugs transaction.Police are still not certain why Knox, Sollecito and Guede were all at the house together, although they suspect it involved a drugs transaction.
Miss Kercher's semi-naked body was found in a pool of blood with her throat slit in her room.Miss Kercher's semi-naked body was found in a pool of blood with her throat slit in her room.
She had been sharing a house with Knox, also a student, on her year abroad in the Umbrian hilltop town.She had been sharing a house with Knox, also a student, on her year abroad in the Umbrian hilltop town.
The trial of Knox and Sollecito started on 16 January this year.The trial of Knox and Sollecito started on 16 January this year.