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Ruling due on Meredith suspects Judge ruling on Meredith suspects
(28 minutes later)
An Italian magistrate is trying to decide whether there is enough evidence to continue to hold three suspects over the killing of Briton Meredith Kercher.An Italian magistrate is trying to decide whether there is enough evidence to continue to hold three suspects over the killing of Briton Meredith Kercher.
The three 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.
They are currently being held in a prison near the town of Perugia, where Miss Kercher's body was discovered. They are appearing before the judge at a prison in Perugia, the town where Miss Kercher's body was discovered.
The student, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found with her throat cut.The student, 21, from Coulsdon, south London, was found with her throat cut.
Flick knife Earlier reports suggested the suspects had been formally arrested, but the magistrate is still considering the decision. All the suspects deny the allegations.
Two knives
Police say Miss Knox crumbled under interrogation and now admits being in the next room, covering her ears to Miss Kercher's screams.
Mr Sollecito admits lying to police he was at a party on the night of Miss Kercher's death. Police are examining two knives found in his possession.
Miss Knox alleges Mr Lumumba, who owns a bar in Perugia, went into Miss Kercher's room and stabbed her in the throat.
Miss Kercher's body was found in her bedroom on Friday morning laying in a pool of blood.
Three held 'all played a role'
Police believe Miss Kercher was trying to fight off a sexual attack when she was killed.Police believe Miss Kercher was trying to fight off a sexual attack when she was killed.
Officers say Miss Knox claims she covered her ears as Miss Kercher, a student, screamed in her bedroom. The investigating magistrate must decide whether there is sufficient evidence to make formal arrests.
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 case presented by investigators said the suspects had all changed their story. They said Miss Knox had an unscrupulous tendency to lie repeatedly.
Police do not believe the murder was premeditated but they allege each of the suspects played a role.
Crucial to the case will be the suspects' phone records and calls they exchanged after the murder.
Police say they have good forensic evidence, including a footprint in the blood.
'Very confused'
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.
Three held 'all played a role'
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. He said Miss Knox 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 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."
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.
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.