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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Amanda Knox speaks at Meredith Kercher murder appeal | Amanda Knox speaks at Meredith Kercher murder appeal |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Amanda Knox has told an Italian appeal court her conviction for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher was an "enormous mistake". | Amanda Knox has told an Italian appeal court her conviction for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher was an "enormous mistake". |
| The 23-year-old American is trying to overturn her conviction after being jailed last year for 26 years for the killing in Perugia in 2007. | The 23-year-old American is trying to overturn her conviction after being jailed last year for 26 years for the killing in Perugia in 2007. |
| In an emotional address to a court in Perugia, Knox said her life had been "broken" by three years in jail. | In an emotional address to a court in Perugia, Knox said her life had been "broken" by three years in jail. |
| Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found with her throat cut. | Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found with her throat cut. |
| The Leeds University student's semi-naked body was found partially covered by a duvet in her bedroom in the house she shared in the Italian city. | The Leeds University student's semi-naked body was found partially covered by a duvet in her bedroom in the house she shared in the Italian city. |
| Knox's former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, was jailed for 25 years for the murder. | Knox's former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, was jailed for 25 years for the murder. |
| Italian notes | Italian notes |
| During her address to the appeal court, Knox said she is not the "dangerous, diabolical" person described by the prosecution. | During her address to the appeal court, Knox said she is not the "dangerous, diabolical" person described by the prosecution. |
| She became tearful as she told how she thought of Miss Kercher as someone she was "grateful and honoured" to have met. | She became tearful as she told how she thought of Miss Kercher as someone she was "grateful and honoured" to have met. |
| Reading in Italian from handwritten notes, she said: "I am unjustly convicted. | Reading in Italian from handwritten notes, she said: "I am unjustly convicted. |
| "I will never get used to this broken life. To Meredith's family and loved ones, I would like to say that I am sorry that Meredith is not here. | "I will never get used to this broken life. To Meredith's family and loved ones, I would like to say that I am sorry that Meredith is not here. |
| "What you're going through and what Meredith went through is incomprehensible and unacceptable." | "What you're going through and what Meredith went through is incomprehensible and unacceptable." |
| She added: "I am innocent. Raffaele is innocent. We did not kill Meredith. | She added: "I am innocent. Raffaele is innocent. We did not kill Meredith. |
| "It doesn't do justice to Meredith and her loved ones to take our lives from us. | "It doesn't do justice to Meredith and her loved ones to take our lives from us. |
| "I stand here more scared than ever, not because I am or I have ever been afraid of the truth but because the truth has not been recognised." | "I stand here more scared than ever, not because I am or I have ever been afraid of the truth but because the truth has not been recognised." |
| She also apologised to Patrick Lumumba, the man she indicated as the possible culprit during police questioning after the killing. | |
| "I should have withstood the pressures that made me do you wrong," she said. | "I should have withstood the pressures that made me do you wrong," she said. |
| Knox was charged last month with slander for claiming police beat her during questioning. | Knox was charged last month with slander for claiming police beat her during questioning. |
| DNA dispute | DNA dispute |
| The original trial heard the pair had cornered Miss Kercher after starting a sex game with Ivorian drug dealer Rudy Guede, who was jailed for 30 years for the killing, although that was reduced to 16 years on appeal. | The original trial heard the pair had cornered Miss Kercher after starting a sex game with Ivorian drug dealer Rudy Guede, who was jailed for 30 years for the killing, although that was reduced to 16 years on appeal. |
| Sollecito is appealing together with Knox, and during the appeal session his lawyers questioned the reliability of the evidence against him. | Sollecito is appealing together with Knox, and during the appeal session his lawyers questioned the reliability of the evidence against him. |
| The appeal had previously been adjourned because one of the lawyers is five months pregnant and has been advised not to travel to the court from Rome. | The appeal had previously been adjourned because one of the lawyers is five months pregnant and has been advised not to travel to the court from Rome. |
| Knox's defence team maintains that the DNA evidence in the case was inconclusive and has argued it may have been contaminated when analysed. | Knox's defence team maintains that the DNA evidence in the case was inconclusive and has argued it may have been contaminated when analysed. |
| It particularly focuses on disputed traces of DNA found on the knife the prosecution said was used in the murder, and on the clasp of Miss Kercher's bra. | It particularly focuses on disputed traces of DNA found on the knife the prosecution said was used in the murder, and on the clasp of Miss Kercher's bra. |
| In their appeal motion, defence lawyers were sharply critical of the verdict, maintaining it was based on mere hypotheses and saying that the motive was absent. | In their appeal motion, defence lawyers were sharply critical of the verdict, maintaining it was based on mere hypotheses and saying that the motive was absent. |
| Knox's parents, from Seattle, have said they are hopeful their daughter will be released once judges in Italy have re-examined the evidence. | Knox's parents, from Seattle, have said they are hopeful their daughter will be released once judges in Italy have re-examined the evidence. |
| However, if her conviction is upheld, her sentence could be increased. | However, if her conviction is upheld, her sentence could be increased. |
| The next hearings are scheduled for 18 December and 15 January and the outcome of the trial is expected next year. | The next hearings are scheduled for 18 December and 15 January and the outcome of the trial is expected next year. |
| As in the original trial, the verdict will be decided by the judge, a fellow magistrate and six jurors. | As in the original trial, the verdict will be decided by the judge, a fellow magistrate and six jurors. |