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Amanda Knox 'delivered fatal blow to Meredith Kercher' | Amanda Knox 'delivered fatal blow to Meredith Kercher' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
The Italian judges who reinstated the guilty verdict against Amanda Knox say she delivered the fatal knife blow to UK student Meredith Kercher. | The Italian judges who reinstated the guilty verdict against Amanda Knox say she delivered the fatal knife blow to UK student Meredith Kercher. |
Explaining their ruling, the judges said Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, killed Miss Kercher after a violent argument. | Explaining their ruling, the judges said Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, killed Miss Kercher after a violent argument. |
Knox and Sollecito were originally convicted of the murder in 2007. | Knox and Sollecito were originally convicted of the murder in 2007. |
They were acquitted on appeal in 2011, but that ruling was overturned in January. | They were acquitted on appeal in 2011, but that ruling was overturned in January. |
Knox, who is currently in the US, was sentenced to 28 years and six months. Her former boyfriend received 25 years. | Knox, who is currently in the US, was sentenced to 28 years and six months. Her former boyfriend received 25 years. |
Both had pleaded not guilty. | Both had pleaded not guilty. |
'Fought over money' | 'Fought over money' |
Explaining its reasoning on Tuesday, the appeals court in Florence said the victim's wounds indicated multiple aggressors. | Explaining its reasoning on Tuesday, the appeals court in Florence said the victim's wounds indicated multiple aggressors. |
The judges said they believe both Knox and Sollecito wielded knives, as another man, Rudy Guede, held the victim down and committed a sexual assault. | The judges said they believe both Knox and Sollecito wielded knives, as another man, Rudy Guede, held the victim down and committed a sexual assault. |
But it was Knox who "delivered the only mortal blow", striking Meredith Kercher with a kitchen knife, presiding judge Alessandro Nencini concluded. | But it was Knox who "delivered the only mortal blow", striking Meredith Kercher with a kitchen knife, presiding judge Alessandro Nencini concluded. |
The prosecution had originally argued that Miss Kercher was killed in a sex game that spiralled out of control. | |
But in its explanation, the appeals court agreed with a later theory that she was killed after a violent quarrel. | But in its explanation, the appeals court agreed with a later theory that she was killed after a violent quarrel. |
It said Knox and Miss Kercher had fought over money on the night of the killing. | It said Knox and Miss Kercher had fought over money on the night of the killing. |
In a statement on Tuesday, Knox said the court's reasoning was "not supported by any credible evidence or logic". | In a statement on Tuesday, Knox said the court's reasoning was "not supported by any credible evidence or logic". |
Both Knox and Sollecito are expected to appeal against the latest decision. | Both Knox and Sollecito are expected to appeal against the latest decision. |
The trial will now go back to Italy's highest court, the Court of Cassation, which could uphold or overturn the verdict. | The trial will now go back to Italy's highest court, the Court of Cassation, which could uphold or overturn the verdict. |
If it upholds it, officials are expected to begin the lengthy process to extradite Knox from the US, where she returned on her release from prison in 2011. | If it upholds it, officials are expected to begin the lengthy process to extradite Knox from the US, where she returned on her release from prison in 2011. |
Meanwhile, Guede is already serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted of Miss Kercher's murder at an earlier trial. | Meanwhile, Guede is already serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted of Miss Kercher's murder at an earlier trial. |
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