Italy court orders Knox retrail for Kercher murder
- 11 years ago
In a case that grabbed headlines all over the world, American student Amanda Knox and former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito are acquitted for the murder of Briton Meredith Kercher.
Having served four years in prison for allegedly assaulting and killing Kercher in 2007, the two were released after the 2011 verdict.
But on Tuesday, Italy's top court overturned that decision and ordered a retrial.
The decision adds a further twist to the long-running case whose initial handling was sharply criticised by independent forensic experts.
Sollecito's lawyer said she was convinced the court would not over rule the acquittal.
But the lawyer representing the Kercher family said he was hoping for a new ruling.
Knox and Sollecito were initially found guilty and sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison respectively.
Having served four years in prison for allegedly assaulting and killing Kercher in 2007, the two were released after the 2011 verdict.
But on Tuesday, Italy's top court overturned that decision and ordered a retrial.
The decision adds a further twist to the long-running case whose initial handling was sharply criticised by independent forensic experts.
Sollecito's lawyer said she was convinced the court would not over rule the acquittal.
But the lawyer representing the Kercher family said he was hoping for a new ruling.
Knox and Sollecito were initially found guilty and sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison respectively.