In Italy, double jeopardy for Amanda Knox?

Amanda Knox, the American student who was accused of killing a British student she shared an apartment with, was not in court on Monday, as prosecutors made their case for a retrial in front of the Italian Supreme Court, and is “confident” in the Italian judicial system. Knox spent four years in an Italian jail and was found guilty of murdering another college student while traveling abroad in Italy in 2009. Knox’s sentence was later overturned, and prosecutors are appealing that decision, arguing for a retrial, reports the Associated Press.
Knox and her boyfriend at the time, Italian native Raffaele Sollecito, were acquitted of the 2007 death of 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher in 2011.
The prosecutors appealed, and the case is being heard by the Italian Supreme Court on Monday; a verdict is expected shortly thereafter. Giulia Bongiorno, Sollecito’s attorney, said the case against his client and Knox has been “an absurd judicial process,” notes AP. The appellate court, which overturned the conviction, said that the case lacked evidence against Knox and Sollecito due to the murder weapon not being found and faulty DNA testing, notes AP. Knox, following the acquittal, returned to Seattle and is not in Italy for the appeal, but she may not need to return if the court orders a retrial.
Another individual, Rudy Guede, described as an “Ivorian drifter” was later convicted of the murder of Kercher, reports CNN. But the prosecution believes that Guede did not act alone.
“We are still convinced that they are the co-authors of Meredith's homicide,” prosecutor Giovanni Galati said, according to CNN. Sollecito and Knox were hoping to resume their lives; Knox is currently enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle and has written a memoir, “Waiting to be Heard,” that will be published on April 30.
Knox is also appealing her own conviction, a slander charge, in a separate trial, notes AP. Knox said a local bar owner was responsible for the death of Kercher, which led to his arrest and detention for two weeks before being let go by police.
(foto: Amanda Knox e Raffaele Sollecito)