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Meredith Kercher murder: Verdicts due at Italy retrial Meredith Kercher murder: Verdicts due at Italy retrial
(35 minutes later)
A court in Italy is due to announce new appeal verdicts for two people accused of the murder of UK student Meredith Kercher in 2007.A court in Italy is due to announce new appeal verdicts for two people accused of the murder of UK student Meredith Kercher in 2007.
US citizen Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were acquitted of the crime on appeal in 2011, after four years in custody.US citizen Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were acquitted of the crime on appeal in 2011, after four years in custody.
But that ruling was dismissed as flawed last year by the supreme court, and a new appeal ordered.But that ruling was dismissed as flawed last year by the supreme court, and a new appeal ordered.
Ms Knox has not returned to Italy for the case. Both plead their innocence.Ms Knox has not returned to Italy for the case. Both plead their innocence.
The court in Florence has been hearing from Ms Knox's defence team and is now deliberating on a verdict, which is expected to be handed down some time after 16:00 GMT. The court in Florence has been hearing from Ms Knox's defence team and the two judges and eight jurors are now deliberating on a verdict.
If they are convicted again, they can lodge appeals with the Court of Cassation (as the supreme court is known formally), which will have the final say. It is expected to be handed down some time after 16:00 GMT.
Summing up, Ms Knox's lawyer, Carlo Dalla Vedova, told the court her innocence was "rock-solid and it allows us to await the verdict with serenity".
If Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito are convicted again, they can lodge appeals with the Court of Cassation (as the supreme court is known formally), which will have the final say.
The Court of Cassation overturned their acquittals last March after an appeal by prosecutors, who argued that important DNA evidence had been disregarded.The Court of Cassation overturned their acquittals last March after an appeal by prosecutors, who argued that important DNA evidence had been disregarded.
If Ms Knox is convicted, Italy may face a legal battle to extradite her from the US. Prosecutors are asking for 26-year prison terms for the pair on the murder charge.
Prosecutors have asked for a 30-year prison sentence for her and a 26-year sentence for Mr Sollecito. But if Ms Knox is convicted, Italy may face a legal battle to extradite her from the US.
DNA evidence 'DNA doubts'
Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon in south London and 21 at the time, was found with her throat cut in a flat she shared with Ms Knox in the college city of Perugia, in the central region of Umbria.Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon in south London and 21 at the time, was found with her throat cut in a flat she shared with Ms Knox in the college city of Perugia, in the central region of Umbria.
She suffered a "slow, agonising death", a coroner's report found. Rudy Guede from the Ivory Coast was convicted of her murder at a separate trial and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Ivorian drifter Rudy Guede was convicted of her murder at a separate trial and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Prosecutors sought to prove Miss Kercher had died in a sex game involving Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito, that had gone wrong.Prosecutors sought to prove Miss Kercher had died in a sex game involving Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito, that had gone wrong.
They pointed to a bra clasp belonging to Miss Kercher where Mr Sollecito's DNA was allegedly found.
They also maintained that Ms Knox's DNA had been on the handle of a kitchen knife used in the attack, with Miss Kercher's DNA on the blade.
In addition, traces of Ms Knox's blood and footprints were allegedly found in the house.
Arrested days after the murder, Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito were tried and convicted in November 2009.Arrested days after the murder, Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito were tried and convicted in November 2009.
'I didn't kill'
In 2011, an eight-member jury cleared both defendants of Miss Kercher's murder after doubts were raised over procedures used to gather DNA evidence.In 2011, an eight-member jury cleared both defendants of Miss Kercher's murder after doubts were raised over procedures used to gather DNA evidence.
Ordering a retrial last year, the Court of Cassation moved proceedings from Umbria to Florence, in the northern region of Tuscany.Ordering a retrial last year, the Court of Cassation moved proceedings from Umbria to Florence, in the northern region of Tuscany.
Last month, Ms Knox, now 26 and living in Seattle, sent a five-page email to the court to explain her reasons for refusing to return to Italy from the US.
"I didn't kill," she wrote.
"I didn't rape. I didn't rob. I didn't plot. I didn't instigate. I didn't kill Meredith. I am not present in court because I am afraid.
"I am afraid that the vehemence of the prosecution will make an impression on you, that their smoke will get in your eyes and blind you."
If she is reconvicted of the murder, Ms Knox could fight her extradition to Italy in a US court.
Mr Sollecito, 29, has been in the court room awaiting the verdict. If he is reconvicted, the court could ask for him to be arrested or placed under a travel ban pending the Court of Cassation's decision.Mr Sollecito, 29, has been in the court room awaiting the verdict. If he is reconvicted, the court could ask for him to be arrested or placed under a travel ban pending the Court of Cassation's decision.
He told the court in November that it made "no real sense" for him to have committed "such an atrocious act".He told the court in November that it made "no real sense" for him to have committed "such an atrocious act".
Miss Kercher's brother Lyle and sister Stephanie were also expected to be present when the verdict is read out. Ms Kercher's brother Lyle and sister Stephanie were also expected to be present when the verdict is read out.