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Court hearing for Kercher trio Court hearing for Kercher trio
(30 minutes later)
A hearing is taking place in Italy to decide whether three people accused of killing British student Meredith Kercher should face trial.A hearing is taking place in Italy to decide whether three people accused of killing British student Meredith Kercher should face trial.
Amanda Knox, Italian Raffaele Sollecito and Ivory Coast citizen Rudy Guede all deny sexual assault and murder.Amanda Knox, Italian Raffaele Sollecito and Ivory Coast citizen Rudy Guede all deny sexual assault and murder.
Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found semi-naked with her throat slit in the bedroom of her Perugia flat on 1 November.Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found semi-naked with her throat slit in the bedroom of her Perugia flat on 1 November.
On Monday, the father of Miss Knox, who is from Seattle, said she was innocent.On Monday, the father of Miss Knox, who is from Seattle, said she was innocent.
Speaking before the pre-trial hearing in Perugia, Curt Knox told ITV's Tonight programme he hoped his daughter would be freed by the court.Speaking before the pre-trial hearing in Perugia, Curt Knox told ITV's Tonight programme he hoped his daughter would be freed by the court.
Mr Knox said: "To tell you the truth I want her cleared of everything because they need to know who she is. She hasn't been a part of this at all."Mr Knox said: "To tell you the truth I want her cleared of everything because they need to know who she is. She hasn't been a part of this at all."
The judge presiding over the hearing will decide if the trio will face a trial, although Kercher family lawyer Francesco Maresco said any ruling would be unlikely to be made until the end of October.The judge presiding over the hearing will decide if the trio will face a trial, although Kercher family lawyer Francesco Maresco said any ruling would be unlikely to be made until the end of October.
Miss Kercher's parents John and Arline are in court.Miss Kercher's parents John and Arline are in court.
Their daughter lived with Miss Knox and others on Via Della Pergola in Perugia.Their daughter lived with Miss Knox and others on Via Della Pergola in Perugia.
Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito have been in jail since November, while Mr Guede was arrested later in Germany and extradited to Italy in December.Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito have been in jail since November, while Mr Guede was arrested later in Germany and extradited to Italy in December.
Mr Sollecito was not in court for Tuesday's hearing.