Meredith Kercher
Breaking from Sky News: Amanda Knox has made her final statement in the Meredith Kercher murder trial. Speaking in a trembling voice and in Italian, Amanda said she feared ”having the mask of a killer forced onto my skin”.
She also said she was confident her conscience was clean, and thanked the prosecution for the job they’re doing. “I want to thank the accusers because they are only trying to do their job even if they don’t understand,” Knox said.
Maria del Grosso, Knox’s defense attorney, said, “This theory of sexual violence demands strong evidence and what does the prosecutor bring? That Amanda murdered because Meredith didn’t like the fact she did not flush the toilet and that Amanda was an adulteress.”
“Amanda has been described as punctual, a good student, extrovert, supportive, someone who enjoyed music and sport, yoga and many other interests.”
Earlier, Raffaele Sollecito testified in his defense that he was not a violent person and never had been. He said, “Why would I want to commit something so horrible as murder? I want to understand why I would participate in this murder for no motive. I am not a dog on a lead and I am not dependent on Amanda as the prosecution say.”
Knox, 21, and Sollecito, 25, have been charged with murder and sexual assault. The prosecution is asking for life sentences for both defendants.
It’s really sad that someone so promising as Ms. Kercher was taken from this world at such a young age and in such a brutal manner. My heart and prayers go out to her family. I’m also praying for justice to be done in this case. I would hate to see Knox and Sollecito, if they truly are innocent, to wind up with a life sentence in jail. However, I would equally hate to see murderers go free. I’m praying the jury in this case will weigh all the evidence and render a just verdict.
The jury has retired to deliberate the case, and a verdict is expected within the next 48 hours.
What others are saying: