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| Comic 'inspired' Kercher murder | Comic 'inspired' Kercher murder |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| A Japanese comic featuring vampires inspired a suspect in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007, an Italian prosecutor has said. | A Japanese comic featuring vampires inspired a suspect in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007, an Italian prosecutor has said. |
| But the theory was described as "stupid" by the lawyer representing the suspect, Raffaele Sollecito. | But the theory was described as "stupid" by the lawyer representing the suspect, Raffaele Sollecito. |
| An Italian court heard this week that Miss Kercher had 43 knife wounds. | An Italian court heard this week that Miss Kercher had 43 knife wounds. |
| Rudy Guede, 22, from Ivory Coast, American Amanda Knox, 21, and her Italian boyfriend Mr Sollecito, 24, deny sexual assault and murder. | Rudy Guede, 22, from Ivory Coast, American Amanda Knox, 21, and her Italian boyfriend Mr Sollecito, 24, deny sexual assault and murder. |
| Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found semi-naked with her throat slit in her flat in Perugia, central Italy. | |
| She lived with Miss Knox and others at the apartment on Via Della Pergola just outside the city's walls. | She lived with Miss Knox and others at the apartment on Via Della Pergola just outside the city's walls. |
| Vampire magazine | Vampire magazine |
| A series of pre-trial hearings are expected to finish on Tuesday, when judge Paolo Micheli will decide whether Mr Sollecito and Miss Knox will stand trial for murder. | A series of pre-trial hearings are expected to finish on Tuesday, when judge Paolo Micheli will decide whether Mr Sollecito and Miss Knox will stand trial for murder. |
| As provided for under Italian law, Mr Guede has opted for a special fast-track trial which will allow him some leniency if convicted. Prosecutors have asked for a life sentence for Mr Guede. | As provided for under Italian law, Mr Guede has opted for a special fast-track trial which will allow him some leniency if convicted. Prosecutors have asked for a life sentence for Mr Guede. |
| Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini claimed a "manga" magazine, featuring vampires and found in Mr Sollecito's house, inspired the murder. | Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini claimed a "manga" magazine, featuring vampires and found in Mr Sollecito's house, inspired the murder. |
| Manga comics are often associated with science fiction and fantasy, commonly with violent or explicitly sexual content. | Manga comics are often associated with science fiction and fantasy, commonly with violent or explicitly sexual content. |
| Mr Sollecito's defence process is due to begin on Friday. | Mr Sollecito's defence process is due to begin on Friday. |
| Francesco Maresca, the Kercher family's lawyer, has said Miss Knox was named as prime suspect because Meredith's body had been covered by a duvet - thought to be the act of a woman. | Francesco Maresca, the Kercher family's lawyer, has said Miss Knox was named as prime suspect because Meredith's body had been covered by a duvet - thought to be the act of a woman. |
| But Miss Knox's lawyers have argued there is no proof she was involved in the murder and there are no grounds for putting her on trial. | But Miss Knox's lawyers have argued there is no proof she was involved in the murder and there are no grounds for putting her on trial. |
| On Monday, it was announced the Kercher family was seeking £19m in compensation for Meredith's death as part of the Italian civil law process. | On Monday, it was announced the Kercher family was seeking £19m in compensation for Meredith's death as part of the Italian civil law process. |
| 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. |