Amanda Knox Wants To Speak To Kercher Family

By Nick Pisa, Sky Correspondent

Amanda Knox has again stressed her innocence - and desire to meet the family of the British student she is accused of murdering.

Knox, 26, currently on trial in her absence, is accused of stabbing Meredith Kercher to death and sexually assaulting her. 

Speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica as the case reached its closing stages, she said: "I want to speak to them. I want to tell them I had nothing to do with Meredith's death, that I liked her and we were friends.

"When I saw them (Kerchers) in court I wanted to speak with them and I asked my lawyers if I could do that. My lawyer approached them but their lawyers rejected it."

Knox was initially convicted at that trial in 2009, along with her then boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 30, but two years ago they were sensationally cleared and freed from jail.

Meredith was murdered in the house she shared with Knox in Perugia in 2007

The high-profile case, which has been marked with controversy, sparked further headlines last year when that ruling was overturned and the case sent back to trial. 

Officials switched the hearing from Perugia, where the murder took place seven years ago, to the Florence appeal court where proceedings started in September. 

Knox has not appeared and explained herself saying: "It was a really painful decision not to attend the retrial. I wanted to come. I wanted to be present in court. 

"I was put in jail for four years with no proof but on suppositions."

Knox added she hoped after being eventually cleared of any involvement it would lead to a meeting with the Kercher family. 

She said: "I know they believe I am the killer of their daughter, they are convinced that I murdered her and so even now it's not the right time to speak with them.

"That day will come and I hope it will come soon after my innocence has been definitely proved."

However, she still appeared to be apprehensive over the verdict as she added: "I have spoken to Raffaele ... he is more optimistic than me.

"If I am convicted then I will be, as they say, on the run."

Co-accused Raffaele Sollecito insists he will stay in Italy for the verdict

Sollecito has made an appearance at the retrial giving an emotional 15-minute statement proclaiming his innocence and asking the court to "give him his life back".

Summing up took place on Thursday and a verdict is expected on January 30, with the Kercher family expected to attend the hearing.

Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was found semi-naked and with her throat cut in her bedroom of the house she shared with Knox in Perugia in November 2007.

Ivory Coast drifter Rudy Guede, 27, has already been convicted of murder and sexual assault and sentenced to 16 years. He is eligible for parole next year.

If she is convicted prosecutors have demanded Knox be jailed for 30 years and they would seek her extradition from the US.

However, she is unlikely to return from her home in Seattle, as her legal team will argue that she has in effect already been tried and then cleared before this latest case.

Sollecito, who was in court for Thursday's hearing and who also risks jail, has insisted he will remain in Italy for the verdict.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Amanda Knox Wants To Speak To Kercher Family

Dengan url

http://junesstatical.blogspot.com/2014/01/amanda-knox-wants-to-speak-to-kercher.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Amanda Knox Wants To Speak To Kercher Family

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Amanda Knox Wants To Speak To Kercher Family

sebagai sumbernya