This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7084313.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Judge to consider Meredith case Ruling due on Meredith suspects
(about 11 hours later)
An Italian judge is to decide whether there is enough evidence to continue holding three people over the killing of Briton Meredith Kercher. An Italian magistrate is trying to decide whether there is enough evidence to continue to hold three suspects over the killing of Briton Meredith Kercher.
The suspects are American student Amanda Knox, 20, her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Congolese immigrant Patrick Lumumba, 37. The three are American student Amanda Knox, 20, her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Congolese immigrant Patrick Lumumba, 37.
Police in Perugia say Miss Knox claims she covered her ears as Miss Kercher, a student, screamed in her bedroom. They are currently being held in a prison near the town of Perugia, where Miss Kercher's body was discovered.
Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found with her throat cut. The student, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found with her throat cut.
Flick knife
Police believe Miss Kercher was trying to fight off a sexual attack when she was killed.
Officers say Miss Knox claims she covered her ears as Miss Kercher, a student, screamed in her bedroom.
The BBC's Christian Fraser says police are reported to have found a three-inch flick knife in Mr Sollecito's possession, which is now being forensically examined.The BBC's Christian Fraser says police are reported to have found a three-inch flick knife in Mr Sollecito's possession, which is now being forensically examined.
Miss Knox has given a partial confession, but keeps changing her story, police in Perugia say.Miss Knox has given a partial confession, but keeps changing her story, police in Perugia say.
Three held 'all played a role'
Police chief Arturo De Felice said all three suspects had given different versions of events.Police chief Arturo De Felice said all three suspects had given different versions of events.
Miss Knox, he said, "crumbled" under interrogation and claimed she was in the kitchen of the apartment she shared with Miss Kercher when Mr Lumumba went into the Briton's bedroom alone.Miss Knox, he said, "crumbled" under interrogation and claimed she was in the kitchen of the apartment she shared with Miss Kercher when Mr Lumumba went into the Briton's bedroom alone.
'Horrified'
Miss Knox is reported to have told police: "I can't remember how long they were in there, but at one point I heard Meredith scream.Miss Knox is reported to have told police: "I can't remember how long they were in there, but at one point I heard Meredith scream.
"I was horrified. After that I don't remember anything. I was very confused.""I was horrified. After that I don't remember anything. I was very confused."
Three held 'all played a role'
Mr De Felice said all three suspects were present at the murder scene and all played a different role.Mr De Felice said all three suspects were present at the murder scene and all played a different role.
Their mobile phone records were vital to the investigation, he said, telling our correspondent: "If I told you I was in Rome, but the record showed I was in Paris, then you might begin to ask questions."
Sexual attack
Earlier reports said Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito were at the house when police found Miss Kercher's body in her bedroom on Friday.
She was partially-clothed and under a duvet and, according to the coroner, her throat was cut with a pocket knife or a sharp piece of glass.
Mr De Felice told a press conference she was murdered fighting off a violent sexual attack. He said she was a "victim and nothing more".
Luca Lalli, the medical examiner, said there was evidence of sexual activity before Ms Kercher's death, but did not confirm reports that she had been raped.
ERASMUS PROGRAMME Seeks to "enhance the quality and reinforce the European dimension of higher education"Includes exchange schemes for studentsCovers 2,199 higher education institutions in 31 countries Dangers for women travellers
They are also studying a footprint left in the blood in her bedroom.
A spokesman for Leeds University where Miss Kercher was a student said: "The whole [Italian] department is in shock that such a terrible thing should have happened.
"We will remember Meredith as a beautiful, clever and happy young woman, who was serious about her studies and popular with her peers."
Students at Leeds University held a vigil for Miss Kercher, who had been on a study year in Italy as part of the Erasmus programme, on Wednesday night.
Mr Lumumba had been in the country since 1988, while Mr Sollecito was a student at the local university. Miss Knox is from Seattle, Washington.Mr Lumumba had been in the country since 1988, while Mr Sollecito was a student at the local university. Miss Knox is from Seattle, Washington.