This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25941999

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito: Verdicts due at retrial Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito: Verdicts due at retrial
(about 2 hours 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.
A verdict is now expected some time after 19:00 GMT. A verdict is now expected some time after 20:00 GMT.
Ms Knox has not returned to Italy for the case. She and Mr Sollecito say they are innocent.Ms Knox has not returned to Italy for the case. She and Mr Sollecito say they are innocent.
The court in Florence heard from Ms Knox's defence team in the morning before the two judges and eight jurors retired to deliberate on a verdict.The court in Florence heard from Ms Knox's defence team in the morning before the two judges and eight jurors retired to deliberate on a verdict.
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".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 supreme court, which will have the final say. But it could take a year to make a ruling, experts say.If Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito are convicted again, they can lodge appeals with the supreme court, which will have the final say. But it could take a year to make a ruling, experts say.
The supreme court overturned their acquittals last March after an appeal by prosecutors, who argued that important DNA evidence had been disregarded.The supreme court overturned their acquittals last March after an appeal by prosecutors, who argued that important DNA evidence had been disregarded.
Prosecutors are asking for 26-year prison terms for the pair on the murder charge.Prosecutors are asking for 26-year prison terms for the pair on the murder charge.
But if Ms Knox is convicted, Italy may face a legal battle to extradite her from the US.But if Ms Knox is convicted, Italy may face a legal battle to extradite her from the US.
'DNA doubts''DNA doubts'
Ms 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.Ms 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.
Rudy Guede from the Ivory Coast was convicted of her murder at a separate trial and sentenced to 16 years in prison.Rudy Guede from the Ivory Coast was convicted of her murder at a separate trial and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Prosecutors sought to prove Ms Kercher had died in a sex game involving Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito that had gone wrong.Prosecutors sought to prove Ms Kercher had died in a sex game involving Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito that had gone wrong.
Prosecutors have since alleged that the murder resulted from a heated argument over cleanliness in the Perugia apartment.Prosecutors have since alleged that the murder resulted from a heated argument over cleanliness in the Perugia apartment.
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.
In 2011, an eight-member jury cleared both defendants of Ms Kercher's murder after doubts were raised over procedures used to gather DNA evidence.In 2011, an eight-member jury cleared both defendants of Ms Kercher's murder after doubts were raised over procedures used to gather DNA evidence.
Ordering a retrial last year, the supreme court moved proceedings from Umbria to Florence, in the northern region of Tuscany.Ordering a retrial last year, the supreme court moved proceedings from Umbria to Florence, in the northern region of Tuscany.
Mr Sollecito, 29, is present at the Florence court for the verdict. If he is reconvicted, the court could ask for him to be arrested or placed under a travel ban pending the supreme court's decision. Mr Sollecito, 29, was also not present at the Florence court for the verdict. If he is reconvicted, the court could ask for him to be arrested or placed under a travel ban pending the supreme court'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".
Ms 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.