Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito face re-trial over murder case
Knox and Sollecito are to face a re-trial over the death of Meredith Kercher, an Italian court has said
15:45 26 March 2013
Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito are to be re-trialled over the death of British student Meredith Kercher after already being freed from jail, Italy’s court has said on Tuesday, 26thMarch.
The pair, who spent four years in prison in connection with Kercher’s death, were freed on the basis of appeal in 2011. Part of the appeal process related to an error with DNA results.
The American and the Italian were initially handed lengthy prison sentences over the death of the 21-year-old, who was from Leeds University.
Ms. Kercher’s death happened in 2007. The student, who was from London, was spending time travelling abroad and shared accommodation with Ms. Knox. It is understood that Ms. Kercher had a cut to her throat, according to reports.
It was the Court of Cassation that said the two must be re-trialled in connection with the case, reportedly for this to be done in Florence.
Based on reports, it is unclear whether Ms. Knox will be expected to attend the new trial. Some newspaper reports have said she cannot be forced to attend the court, and others have mentioned she may voluntarily show up at the trial.
However, as pointed out by the BBC, if Ms. Knox if convicted, Italian officials may pursue her extradition. The 25-year-old is from Seattle.