Awaiting a final verdict for Amanda Knox
- 13 years ago
Awaiting a final verdict for Amanda Knox.
On Friday the appeals trial of Amanda Knox, the American college student convicted of murdering her British housemate in a frenzied sex game, enters the final stretch when final arguments in the case begin.
Knox, along with her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of the murder of Meredith Kercher in 2009
Kercher, a 21-year-old English student, was found half naked in November 2007 with her throat cut in the house she shared with Knox in the university city of Perugia.
The first trial, where the prosecution said Kercher was killed in a sex game that spiraled out of control, sentenced Knox and Sollecito to 26 and 25 years, respectively.
That conviction came into doubt in July, when an independent forensic experts appointed by the court said that DNA evidence in the case was unreliable and numerous errors had been made by police scientists.
A verdict in the appeals trial is expected next week, and Knox could be freed even if the prosecution decides to seek a re-trial on technical grounds.
Carlo Fiorio, is a professor of criminal procedure at the University of Perugia.
SOUNDBITE: Carlo Fiorio, is a professor of criminal procedure at the University of Perugia, saying: (Italian):
"A sentence that withdraws a murder charge would immediately lead to a release of the two defendants from prison. In the case of an acquittal at the appeals hearing these two defendants should be freed. At this point the Italian judicial code says that the judge should order the immediate release of the defendants and they should be in every aspect, free. Procedure dictates that they need to return to prison to collect their personnel items. Normally this return is with the police but it is not written any way that they cannot do this by themselves with their lawyers."
If Knox and Sollecito find the ruling unfavorable next week, there is still time for an appeal.
SOUNDBITE: Carlo Fiorio, is a professor of criminal procedure at the University of Perugia, saying: (Italian):
"In any case the two defendants can still appeal in a final court in order to try and repeal both verdicts of the murder trial and appeals hearing."
Analysts say an acquittal would be a blow to the image of Italian police procedures and the Italian judicial system, both of which have come under criticism in the British and American media.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
On Friday the appeals trial of Amanda Knox, the American college student convicted of murdering her British housemate in a frenzied sex game, enters the final stretch when final arguments in the case begin.
Knox, along with her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of the murder of Meredith Kercher in 2009
Kercher, a 21-year-old English student, was found half naked in November 2007 with her throat cut in the house she shared with Knox in the university city of Perugia.
The first trial, where the prosecution said Kercher was killed in a sex game that spiraled out of control, sentenced Knox and Sollecito to 26 and 25 years, respectively.
That conviction came into doubt in July, when an independent forensic experts appointed by the court said that DNA evidence in the case was unreliable and numerous errors had been made by police scientists.
A verdict in the appeals trial is expected next week, and Knox could be freed even if the prosecution decides to seek a re-trial on technical grounds.
Carlo Fiorio, is a professor of criminal procedure at the University of Perugia.
SOUNDBITE: Carlo Fiorio, is a professor of criminal procedure at the University of Perugia, saying: (Italian):
"A sentence that withdraws a murder charge would immediately lead to a release of the two defendants from prison. In the case of an acquittal at the appeals hearing these two defendants should be freed. At this point the Italian judicial code says that the judge should order the immediate release of the defendants and they should be in every aspect, free. Procedure dictates that they need to return to prison to collect their personnel items. Normally this return is with the police but it is not written any way that they cannot do this by themselves with their lawyers."
If Knox and Sollecito find the ruling unfavorable next week, there is still time for an appeal.
SOUNDBITE: Carlo Fiorio, is a professor of criminal procedure at the University of Perugia, saying: (Italian):
"In any case the two defendants can still appeal in a final court in order to try and repeal both verdicts of the murder trial and appeals hearing."
Analysts say an acquittal would be a blow to the image of Italian police procedures and the Italian judicial system, both of which have come under criticism in the British and American media.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.