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Two on trial over Kercher murder Two on trial over Kercher murder
(9 minutes later)
The trial of two people accused of murdering British student Meredith Kercher is opening in Italy.The trial of two people accused of murdering British student Meredith Kercher is opening in Italy.
American Amanda Knox, 21, and Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, have been in jail for more than a year accused of the killing in Perugia.American Amanda Knox, 21, and Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, have been in jail for more than a year accused of the killing in Perugia.
A judge will decide on Friday whether their trial should be held in private.A judge will decide on Friday whether their trial should be held in private.
Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, south London, was found dead on November 2007. Rudy Hermann Guede, 21, has already been jailed for her murder. Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, south London, was found dead in November 2007. Rudy Hermann Guede, 21, has already been jailed for her murder.
Prosecutors claim the Leeds University student was killed as part of a bungled sex game involving Mr Guede, her housemate Miss Knox, from Seattle, and the American's ex-boyfriend Mr Sollecito, from Bari in southern Italy.Prosecutors claim the Leeds University student was killed as part of a bungled sex game involving Mr Guede, her housemate Miss Knox, from Seattle, and the American's ex-boyfriend Mr Sollecito, from Bari in southern Italy.
She is not a victim, but the media has created a false picture of Amanda. Amanda Knox's lawyerShe is not a victim, but the media has created a false picture of Amanda. Amanda Knox's lawyer
Miss Kercher had been studying in Perugia as part of a foreign exchange programme.Miss Kercher had been studying in Perugia as part of a foreign exchange programme.
Mr Guede, who pleaded guilty to her murder in a "fast-track" trial last year, was jailed for 30 years.Mr Guede, who pleaded guilty to her murder in a "fast-track" trial last year, was jailed for 30 years.
More than 140 members of the press are said to have requested access to the current trial and Miss Knox's legal team are believed to favour an open hearing.More than 140 members of the press are said to have requested access to the current trial and Miss Knox's legal team are believed to favour an open hearing.
They are attempting to block the publication of a book about her written by an Italian journalist.They are attempting to block the publication of a book about her written by an Italian journalist.
Miss Knox's lawyer, Luciano Ghirga, confirmed that Miss Knox was seeking 500,000 euros (£450,046) in compensation for damage allegedly already caused by the book and articles published in an Italian daily newspaper.Miss Knox's lawyer, Luciano Ghirga, confirmed that Miss Knox was seeking 500,000 euros (£450,046) in compensation for damage allegedly already caused by the book and articles published in an Italian daily newspaper.
He said too much "sensitive information" about the sex life of the Seattle-born foreign exchange student has been published.He said too much "sensitive information" about the sex life of the Seattle-born foreign exchange student has been published.
Mr Ghirga said of his client: "She is not a victim, but the media has created a false picture of Amanda.Mr Ghirga said of his client: "She is not a victim, but the media has created a false picture of Amanda.
"We still hope she will get a fair trial though.""We still hope she will get a fair trial though."
The trial is expected to last for several months.The trial is expected to last for several months.