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Judge considers Meredith charges Judge to consider Meredith case
(40 minutes later)
A judge in the Italian city of Perugia is to decide whether three people should be charged in connection with the killing of Briton Meredith Kercher. An Italian judge is to decide whether there is enough evidence to continue holding three people over the killing of Briton Meredith Kercher.
The suspects are American student Amanda Knox, 20, her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Congolese immigrant Patrick Lumumba, 37.The suspects are American student Amanda Knox, 20, her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Congolese immigrant Patrick Lumumba, 37.
Italian police say Miss Knox claims she covered her ears as Miss Kercher, a student, screamed in her bedroom. Police in Perugia say Miss Knox claims she covered her ears as Miss Kercher, a student, screamed in her bedroom.
Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found with her throat cut.Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found with her throat cut.
The BBC's Christian Fraser says police are reported to have found a three-inch flick knife in Mr Sollecito's possession, which is now being forensically examined.The BBC's Christian Fraser says police are reported to have found a three-inch flick knife in Mr Sollecito's possession, which is now being forensically examined.
Miss Knox has given a partial confession, but keeps changing her story, police in Perugia say.Miss Knox has given a partial confession, but keeps changing her story, police in Perugia say.
Police chief Arturo De Felice said all three suspects had given different versions of events.Police chief Arturo De Felice said all three suspects had given different versions of events.
Miss Knox, he said, "crumbled" under interrogation and claimed she was in the kitchen of the apartment she shared with Miss Kercher when Mr Lumumba went into the Briton's bedroom alone.Miss Knox, he said, "crumbled" under interrogation and claimed she was in the kitchen of the apartment she shared with Miss Kercher when Mr Lumumba went into the Briton's bedroom alone.
'Horrified''Horrified'
Miss Knox is reported to have told police: "I can't remember how long they were in there, but at one point I heard Meredith scream.Miss Knox is reported to have told police: "I can't remember how long they were in there, but at one point I heard Meredith scream.
"I was horrified. After that I don't remember anything. I was very confused.""I was horrified. After that I don't remember anything. I was very confused."
Three held 'all played a role'Three held 'all played a role'
Mr De Felice said all three suspects were present at the murder scene and all played a different role.Mr De Felice said all three suspects were present at the murder scene and all played a different role.
Their mobile phone records were vital to the investigation, he said, telling our correspondent: "If I told you I was in Rome, but the record showed I was in Paris, then you might begin to ask questions."Their mobile phone records were vital to the investigation, he said, telling our correspondent: "If I told you I was in Rome, but the record showed I was in Paris, then you might begin to ask questions."
Sexual attackSexual attack
Earlier reports said Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito were at the house when police found Miss Kercher's body in her bedroom on Friday.Earlier reports said Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito were at the house when police found Miss Kercher's body in her bedroom on Friday.
She was partially-clothed and under a duvet and, according to the coroner, her throat was cut with a pocket knife or a sharp piece of glass.She was partially-clothed and under a duvet and, according to the coroner, her throat was cut with a pocket knife or a sharp piece of glass.
Mr De Felice told a press conference she was murdered fighting off a violent sexual attack. He said she was a "victim and nothing more".Mr De Felice told a press conference she was murdered fighting off a violent sexual attack. He said she was a "victim and nothing more".
Luca Lalli, the medical examiner, said there was evidence of sexual activity before Ms Kercher's death, but did not confirm reports that she had been raped.Luca Lalli, the medical examiner, said there was evidence of sexual activity before Ms Kercher's death, but did not confirm reports that she had been raped.
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.
A spokesman for Leeds University where Miss Kercher was a student said: "The whole [Italian] department is in shock that such a terrible thing should have happened.A spokesman for Leeds University where Miss Kercher was a student said: "The whole [Italian] department is in shock that such a terrible thing should have happened.
"We will remember Meredith as a beautiful, clever and happy young woman, who was serious about her studies and popular with her peers.""We will remember Meredith as a beautiful, clever and happy young woman, who was serious about her studies and popular with her peers."
Students at Leeds University held a vigil for Miss Kercher, who had been on a study year in Italy as part of the Erasmus programme, on Wednesday night.Students at Leeds University held a vigil for Miss Kercher, who had been on a study year in Italy as part of the Erasmus programme, on Wednesday night.
Mr Lumumba had been in the country since 1988, while Mr Sollecito was a student at the local university. Miss Knox is from Seattle, Washington.Mr Lumumba had been in the country since 1988, while Mr Sollecito was a student at the local university. Miss Knox is from Seattle, Washington.