Amanda Knox: Italian Court To Decide Whether Conviction Will Stand
Amanda Knox’s fate is once again in the hands of an Italian court. On Wednesday, Italy’s Court of Cassation will determine whether to confirm Knox’s 2009 murder conviction. If the conviction is upheld, the 27-year-old woman could face extradition.
On November 2, 2007, Meredith Kercher, 21, was found dead inside her Perugia, Italy, apartment. An autopsy later confirmed the British exchange student was stabbed multiple times, including a fatal wound to the neck. Authorities also believe Kercher was the victim of sexual assault.
Although evidence at the scene suggested a break-in, detectives later determined the burglary was staged. As authorities suspected a crime of passion, they identified Kercher’s roommate, Amanda Knox, as a primary suspect.
As reported by CNN, Knox initially confessed to being inside the apartment when her roommate was killed. However, she identified bar owner Patrick Lumumba as the aggressor in the attack.
As a result of Knox’s confession, Lumumba was arrested and incarcerated on suspicion of murder. The suspect was released two weeks later when authorities confirmed his alibi.
Although she initially confessed to being inside the apartment when Meredith Kercher was killed, Knox later explained the confession was “made under the pressures of stress, shock, and extreme exhaustion.”
Amanda Knox vehemently denies any knowledge of, or involvement in, her roommate’s brutal death. Despite her denial, she was arrested and charged with murder in June, 2008.
#MeredithKercher murder: Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done. #AmandaKnox MUST be extradited back to Italy.
— Ian Hitchings (@IamIanHitchings) March 24, 2015
In addition to Knox, authorities also arrested and charged Rudy Guede and Knox’s boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito. Rudy Guede was linked to the scene by his DNA, which was found on and inside Meridith Kercher’s body.
Although he admits being inside the apartment, and having sexual relations with Kercher, Guede denies involvement in her death. As reported by Seattle PI, Guede claims he was using the restroom when Kercher was killed by an unknown assailant.
The suspect admits he did not have direct contact with the attacker, or his female companion. However, Guede has suggested the man and woman were Raffaele Sollecito and Amanda Knox.
EXCLUSIVE: Amanda Knox’s ex lover blows a hole in her alibi http://t.co/GX3lnstsTu
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) March 24, 2015
As he requested a “fast-track trial,” Guede was convicted of murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison in October, 2008. His sentence was later reduced to 16 years on appeal.
Knox and Sollecito were both convicted of murder in 2009. Although they each spent nearly four years in prison, an appellate court later overturned their convictions. Raffaele Sollecito and Amanda Knox were released from prison in October 2011.
Although her murder conviction was overturned and she has since returned to the United States, the Italian court system is not done with Amanda Knox.
In January, 2014, Knox and Sollecito were again convicted of murder in the death of Meredith Kercher. Although they were both sentenced to prison, they will remain free until the appeals process is exhausted.
On Wednesday, Italy’s Court of Cassation could voted to acquit Amanda Knox. As reported by Fox News, the judges also have the option recommending a new trial or ordering Knox to return to Italy to serve her 28-year prison sentence.
[Image via Oli Scarff/Getty Images]
