Amanda Knox, who is serving a 26-year sentence for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007, returns to court in Perugia for the beginning of her appeal hearing today. Knox has always said that she is innocent and her lawyers intend to introduce new evidence to clear her name. They are also requesting a review of all forensic evidence used in the original trial.
Knox, who has become something of a media star during her imprisonment, is now said to be exhausted as imprisonment has taken its toll.
If the appeal is rejected, Knox could face an even longer sentence as the Prosecution in the case has also appealed against the length of her sentence. Prosecution lawyers want a life sentence for Knox. There is also a possibility that the court will refuse to hear new evidence or to admit new witnesses.
In a separate trial which will begin next spring, Knox faces charges of slander against police officers who questioned her immediately after the murder. She claims that she was hit by police and forced into a confession. If the slander charge is proven extra years could be added to her sentence for this.
Today’s proceedings will probably be a formality only with the appeal trial being adjourned until mid-December.
On the third anniversary of Meredith Kercher’s death her father wrote that he is aware that the appeal could take years and that all he wants is for everything to be settled.
