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Meredith trio face more questions Flatmate makes partial confession
(about 1 hour later)
Italian police are continuing to question three people about the death of Briton Meredith Kercher, found dead at her house in Perugia, Italy. The American flatmate of murdered British student Meredith Kercher has given a partial confession, Italian police have confirmed.
Reports suggest all three had been at the property where Miss Kercher of Coulsdon, south London, was found. Amanda Knox, 20, is one of three people being questioned about the murder of the 21-year-old from Coulsden, south London, in the town of Perugia.
The three are her American flatmate, Amanda Knox, 20, Miss Knox's boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Congolese immigrant Patrick Lumumba, 37. The others are her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Congolese immigrant Patrick Lumumba, 37.
Police suspect the 21-year-old was murdered in a violent sexual attack. Perugia's police chief said all three had given different versions of events.
Arturo De Felice told the BBC that the suspects would go before a judge on Thursday to be formally arrested.
He said police were holding them separately and they had not had access to their lawyers.
Sexual attack
Reports say Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito were at the house when police found Miss Kercher's body on Friday.
De Felice told a press conference she was murdered fighting off a violent sexual attack.
Amanda Knox shared a house with Meredith KercherAmanda Knox shared a house with Meredith Kercher
Arturo De Felice, Perugia's police chief, told a press conference that she died fighting off a sexual attack. He said she was a "victim and nothing more".
He said that Miss Kercher was a "victim and nothing more". Miss Kercher's body was found in the bedroom of her apartment.
Asked by reporters if one of the three people being questioned had confessed to the crime, the police said this was a "valid hypothesis". She was partially-clothed and under a duvet and it is thought her throat was cut with a pocket knife.
Miss Kercher's body was found on Friday in the bedroom of her apartment.
She was partially-clothed and under a duvet and is thought to have been stabbed with a pocket knife.
Luca Lalli, the medical examiner, said there was evidence that she had taken part in sexual activity before her death, but did not confirm reports that she had been raped.Luca Lalli, the medical examiner, said there was evidence that she had taken part in sexual activity before her death, but did not confirm reports that she had been raped.
Raffaele Sollecito is an Italian student from BariRaffaele Sollecito is an Italian student from Bari
Detectives have five days to question the three people being held in connection with Miss Kercher's death.Detectives have five days to question the three people being held in connection with Miss Kercher's death.
Mr Lumumba had been in the country since 1988, while Mr Sollecito was a student at the local university.Mr Lumumba had been in the country since 1988, while Mr Sollecito was a student at the local university.
Mobile phone
Miss Kercher, who had been on a study year from Leeds University as part of the Erasmus programme, is known to have gone to at least one party on Halloween last Wednesday, the night before she died.Miss Kercher, who had been on a study year from Leeds University as part of the Erasmus programme, is known to have gone to at least one party on Halloween last Wednesday, the night before she died.
The next evening, she had dinner with a female friend, and went home in the middle of the evening.The next evening, she had dinner with a female friend, and went home in the middle of the evening.
Officers have been carrying out checks for fingerprints on two mobile phones belonging to Miss Kercher, which were found at or near the scene.Officers have been carrying out checks for fingerprints on two mobile phones belonging to Miss Kercher, which were found at or near the scene.
An elderly woman found one mobile abandoned in her garden and handed it to police.An elderly woman found one mobile abandoned in her garden and handed it to police.
Detectives traced it to the flat, where they kicked in the door and discovered Miss Kercher's body.Detectives traced it to the flat, where they kicked in the door and discovered Miss Kercher's body.
ERASMUS PROGRAMME Seeks to "enhance the quality and reinforce the European dimension of higher education"Includes exchange schemes for studentsCovers 2,199 higher education institutions in 31 countries Dangers for women travellers ERASMUS PROGRAMME Seeks to "enhance the quality and reinforce the European dimension of higher education"Includes exchange schemes for studentsCovers 2,199 higher education institutions in 31 countries Dangers for women travellers
They are also studying a footprint left in the blood in her bedroom.They are also studying a footprint left in the blood in her bedroom.
The Daily Telegraph quoted her father, John Kercher, as saying that he had found it "very difficult" to learn of the circumstances surrounding her death.The Daily Telegraph quoted her father, John Kercher, as saying that he had found it "very difficult" to learn of the circumstances surrounding her death.
He said: "Meredith was just not that sort of person. Earlier reports suggested she may have died after a sexual encounter went wrong.
Mr Kercher said: "Meredith was just not that sort of person.
"She would never have got involved in anything like that."She would never have got involved in anything like that.
"I think I am dealing with it and then I see cards and pictures or I hear her name mentioned and it sets me off crying again.""I think I am dealing with it and then I see cards and pictures or I hear her name mentioned and it sets me off crying again."
Friends of Miss Kercher held a candlelit vigil in her memory at Perugia's cathedral on Monday night.Friends of Miss Kercher held a candlelit vigil in her memory at Perugia's cathedral on Monday night.