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Amanda Knox Acquitted of 2007 Murder by Italy’s Highest Court Amanda Knox Acquitted of 2007 Murder by Italy’s Highest Court
(35 minutes later)
ROME — Italy’s highest court acquitted Amanda Knox and her Italian former boyfriend of murder on Friday, throwing out all charges and ending a long-running courtroom drama over the killing of a British student in 2007.ROME — Italy’s highest court acquitted Amanda Knox and her Italian former boyfriend of murder on Friday, throwing out all charges and ending a long-running courtroom drama over the killing of a British student in 2007.
The ruling was a shock in Italy, where the convictions had been expected to be upheld in the death of the student, Meredith Kercher. It the second time that the court, known as the Supreme Court of Cassation, has vacated an appellate court ruling in the case. The ruling in favor of Ms. Knox, a 27-year-old former exchange student from Seattle, was a shock in Italy, where the convictions had been expected to be upheld in the death of the British student, Meredith Kercher.
It was the second time that the court, known as the Supreme Court of Cassation, had vacated an appellate court ruling in a case that has been tabloid fodder for years on both sides of the Atlantic.
Gasps went up among spectators in the Rome courtroom, where after 10 hours of deliberation, the presiding judge, Gennaro Marasca, announced the decision. The reasoning behind the decision is to be made public within 90 days.Gasps went up among spectators in the Rome courtroom, where after 10 hours of deliberation, the presiding judge, Gennaro Marasca, announced the decision. The reasoning behind the decision is to be made public within 90 days.
Supporters of Ms. Knox and her co-defendant, Raffaele Sollecito, reacted with joy. “It’s Over!,” an advocacy group said via its Twitter account, @Justice4Knox.Supporters of Ms. Knox and her co-defendant, Raffaele Sollecito, reacted with joy. “It’s Over!,” an advocacy group said via its Twitter account, @Justice4Knox.
Neither Ms. Knox nor Mr. Sollecito was present in the courtroom on Friday. Ms. Knox, who was born in Seattle, has been living in the United States since her original conviction was overturned in October 2011, and had said she would not return to Italy. Mr. Sollecito attended the case’s two days of hearings before the court, but chose to await the verdict elsewhere. Neither Ms. Knox nor Mr. Sollecito was present in the courtroom on Friday. Ms. Knox has been living in the United States since her original conviction was overturned in October 2011, and had said she would not return to Italy. Mr. Sollecito attended the case’s two days of hearings before the court, but chose to await the verdict elsewhere.
Ms. Knox and her family issued statements through her lawyer expressing deep thanks for the court’s ruling.
“I am tremendously relieved and grateful for the decision of the Supreme Court of Italy,” Ms. Knox said. “The knowledge of my innocence has given me strength in the darkest times of this ordeal. And throughout this ordeal, I have received invaluable support from family, friends, and strangers. To them, I say: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has sustained me. I only wish that I could thank each and every one of you in person.”
In a separate statement, her family said: “We want to express our profound gratitude to all of those who have supported Amanda and our family. Countless people – from world-renowned DNA experts, to former FBI agents, to everyday citizens committed to justice – have spoken about her innocence.”
Ms. Kercher was found dead on the morning of Nov. 2, 2007, lying on the floor of her bedroom in Perugia, a university town in central Italy that is popular with foreigners.Ms. Kercher was found dead on the morning of Nov. 2, 2007, lying on the floor of her bedroom in Perugia, a university town in central Italy that is popular with foreigners.
Ms. Knox and Mr. Sollecito were arrested a few days later, and spent four years in custody before their original convictions were overturned.Ms. Knox and Mr. Sollecito were arrested a few days later, and spent four years in custody before their original convictions were overturned.
Rudy Guede, a Perugia resident born in the Ivory Coast, was convicted of murder in a separate trial in connection with Ms. Kercher’s death. Defense lawyers for Ms. Knox and Mr. Sollecito had always argued that Mr. Guede committed the crime on his own.Rudy Guede, a Perugia resident born in the Ivory Coast, was convicted of murder in a separate trial in connection with Ms. Kercher’s death. Defense lawyers for Ms. Knox and Mr. Sollecito had always argued that Mr. Guede committed the crime on his own.