Kerchers to see Amanda Knox’s final plea
THE final act in the Amanda Knox drama will unfold today when the families of murdered British student Meredith Kercher and of the two people convicted of her murder come face-to-face.
The Kerchers will enter the tension-filled court in Perugia, Italy, for the first time in nearly two years to listen to the outcome of 24-year-old Knox’s appeal.
They will be within a few feet of nine members of Knox’s family and five members of Italian student Raffaele Sollecito’s family.
In recent days the Kerchers’ silence has been broken by stinging criticism of the way the Knox and Sollecito families have conducted a campaign to highlight their claims of innocence.
Last week, Meredith’s mother and sister told Italian TV attention should focus on “justice for the victim”, not Knox or Sollecito.
Sister Stephanie said quietly: “Meredith has been forgotten. The attention has completely moved from Meredith to Amanda and Raffaele.”
Today’s end to a 10-month appeal trial is also likely to feature a personal statement from Knox
The Kerchers will enter the tension-filled court in Perugia, Italy, for the first time in nearly two years
Her father Curt said: “Amanda will be fighting for her life, this is her last chance.”
Knox and Sollecito, 27, were convicted nearly two years ago of murdering Meredith, 21, from Coulsdon, Surrey, in 2007.
Knox was sentenced to 26 years and Sollecito 25 years in jail.
Drugs dealer Rudy Guede was also convicted and jailed for 30 years, reduced to 16 on appeal.