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Knox murder case 'has no holes' Knox murder case 'has no holes'
(10 minutes later)
Judges in Italy have published their reasons for convicting Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito for the murder of Meredith Kercher.Judges in Italy have published their reasons for convicting Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito for the murder of Meredith Kercher.
The judges said the murder happened without planning or grudge.The judges said the murder happened without planning or grudge.
But they said that there were no holes or inconsistency in the evidence which pointed to the guilt of Knox and Sollecito.But they said that there were no holes or inconsistency in the evidence which pointed to the guilt of Knox and Sollecito.
The pair were found guilty in December of killing Ms Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, in Perugia in 2007.The pair were found guilty in December of killing Ms Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, in Perugia in 2007.
Both Knox and Sollecito are appealing against their convictions; Knox on the grounds that the forensic evidence against her was flawed.Both Knox and Sollecito are appealing against their convictions; Knox on the grounds that the forensic evidence against her was flawed.
Lurid claimsLurid claims
In the 427-page opinion document, Italian judges Giancarlo Massei and Beatrice Cristini say all their decisions were based on the forensic evidence presented.In the 427-page opinion document, Italian judges Giancarlo Massei and Beatrice Cristini say all their decisions were based on the forensic evidence presented.
They say, for example, that one footprint found in Miss Kercher's bathroom belonged to Sollecito, whilst another in a bedroom came from Knox.They say, for example, that one footprint found in Miss Kercher's bathroom belonged to Sollecito, whilst another in a bedroom came from Knox.
And they explain, at length, why the footprint in the bedroom is a woman's.And they explain, at length, why the footprint in the bedroom is a woman's.
BBC Rome correspondent Duncan Kennedy said this suggested they dismissed some of the more lurid claims of the prosecution, especially concerning Knox, over things like her cart wheeling and giggling in the police station in the days after the murder. BBC Rome correspondent Duncan Kennedy said this suggested they had dismissed some of the more lurid claims of the prosecution, especially concerning Knox, over things like her cart-wheeling and giggling in the police station in the days after the murder.
In their explanation, the judges also say that Knox and Sollecito had staged a fake break-in, to make it look as though Miss Kercher was killed by an intruder. In their explanation, the judges also say that Knox and Sollecito had staged a fake break-in to make it look as though Miss Kercher was killed by an intruder.
'Regret''Regret'
In other parts of their report the judges say they could find no motive for the murder. In other parts of their report, the judges say they could find no motive for the murder.
The prosecution initially claimed Miss Kercher had died during a sex party that went wrong, then Knox and Miss Kercher fell out over Knox's hygiene habits and interest in men.The prosecution initially claimed Miss Kercher had died during a sex party that went wrong, then Knox and Miss Kercher fell out over Knox's hygiene habits and interest in men.
But, in their interpretation of events, the judges say that this was a murder "without planning, without any animosity or grudge against the victim". But, in their interpretation of events, the judges say this was a murder "without planning, without any animosity or grudge against the victim".
They say that the death was the result of what they call, "purely random circumstances," that Knox and Sollecito had not gone round specifically to kill Miss Kercher. They say the death was the result of what they call, "purely random circumstances," that Knox and Sollecito had not gone around specifically to kill Miss Kercher.
This view is reinforced by another extract from the judges' report.This view is reinforced by another extract from the judges' report.
Miss Kercher had been studying Italian on an exchange programmeMiss Kercher had been studying Italian on an exchange programme
It says the fact that Miss Kercher's body had been covered by her attackers showed, "a sort of regret for what they had done".It says the fact that Miss Kercher's body had been covered by her attackers showed, "a sort of regret for what they had done".
Knox was jailed for 26 years and Sollecito for 25 years in December last year.Knox was jailed for 26 years and Sollecito for 25 years in December last year.
Small-time drug dealer Rudy Guede, 22, was sentenced to 30 years for his part in the murder last October.Small-time drug dealer Rudy Guede, 22, was sentenced to 30 years for his part in the murder last October.
The judges also found that early on in the investigation, Knox had "freely accused" another man, Patrick Lumumba, knowing he was innocent. The judges also noted that early on in the investigation, Knox had "freely accused" another man, Patrick Lumumba, knowing he was innocent.
Miss Kercher, 21, a Leeds University student, had been sharing a house with Knox, who was also a student, on a year abroad in the Umbrian hilltop town.Miss Kercher, 21, a Leeds University student, had been sharing a house with Knox, who was also a student, on a year abroad in the Umbrian hilltop town.