This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21936308

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Amanda Knox faces Italy retrial over Kercher murder Amanda Knox faces Italy retrial over Kercher murder
(35 minutes later)
American Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito must face a retrial over the killing in 2007 of her UK flatmate, Meredith Kercher, Italy's highest court has ruled.American Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito must face a retrial over the killing in 2007 of her UK flatmate, Meredith Kercher, Italy's highest court has ruled.
Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito spent four years in jail for murder but were freed on appeal in October 2011, largely on the grounds DNA evidence was flawed. The pair spent four years in jail but were freed on appeal in 2011 largely on the grounds DNA evidence was flawed.
Prosecutors appealed and the Court of Cassation overturned the acquittals. Miss Knox said the news was "painful" but she was "confident in the truth".
Rudy Guede was convicted in a separate trial and sentenced to 16 years. Italian law cannot compel Miss Knox, who lives in Seattle, to return for the re-running of her appeal.
The Ivory Coast national was found guilty of sexually assaulting and stabbing Ms Kercher. He admitted being at the house on the night of the killing in November 2007, but denies murder. If she is convicted, Italy could seek her extradition.
'Very anxious' In a statement, Miss Knox said: "It was painful to receive the news that the Italian Supreme Court decided to send my case back for revision when the prosecution's theory of my involvement in Meredith's murder has been repeatedly revealed to be completely unfounded and unfair."
Meredith Kercher, from Coulsdon, south London, had been on a year abroad from Leeds University when she was found semi-naked in her bedroom and with her throat cut in the cottage she shared with Miss Knox. She added: "No matter what happens, my family and I will face this continuing legal battle as we always have, confident in the truth and with our heads held high in the face of wrongful accusations and unreasonable adversity."
Miss Knox, now 25, and Mr Sollecito, 29, were originally sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison for killing and sexually assaulting Meredith Kercher.
Rudy Guede was convicted in a separate trial and sentenced to 16 years. The Ivory Coast national was found guilty of sexually assaulting and stabbing Ms Kercher. He admitted to being at the house on the night of the killing, but denies murder.
'Illogical'
Meredith Kercher, 21 and from Coulsdon in south London, had been on a year abroad from Leeds University when she was found semi-naked in her bedroom and with her throat cut in the cottage she shared with Miss Knox in November 2007.
Prosecutors believed she was killed in a brutal sex game that went wrong.Prosecutors believed she was killed in a brutal sex game that went wrong.
Addressing the court on Monday, they urged the judges to "make sure the final curtain does not drop on this shocking and dire crime". Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito were acquitted in October 2011 by an appeals court that criticised the prosecution case and noted that the murder weapon had never been found, that DNA tests were faulty and that no murder motive was provided.
Miss Knox's Italian lawyer, Luciano Ghirga, said on Monday her client was "very anxious" about the latest hearing. Prosecutors appealed against that ruling and argued at the Court of Cassation on Monday that the acquittals were "contradictory and illogical".
Miss Knox lives in Seattle and a retrial is likely to take place in absentia, as the US is unlikely to extradite her, analysts say. Addressing the court, prosecutors urged the judges to "make sure the final curtain does not drop on this shocking and dire crime".
Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito were originally sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison for killing and sexually assaulting Meredith Kercher. The court examined whether there had been procedural irregularities, rather than looking at the details of the case, and it will announce the reasons for its ruling later.
Lawyers for Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito looked grim-faced on Tuesday as they tried to get the details of the ruling from the court.
The new trial is expected to take place in Florence.