Today an Italian appeals court found American Amanda Knox not guilty of murder, overturning the original 2009 verdict. However, she was found guilty of slander, a sentence of three years, which she has already served. Her family is attempting to get her out of Italy as soon as possible.
Knox was originally convicted and sentenced to 26 years in prison, of which she has already served four, for sexually assaulting and murdering Meredith Kercher, her 21-year-old British roommate with whom she was living while studying in Perugia, Italy. Her boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, was also found guilty and was sentenced to 25 years. Sollecito was also acquitted.
Former FBI agent and former Pepperdine Deputy Director of Public Safety Steve Moore had been involved in the Knox defense case, making public appearances in the national media on her behalf.
Moore called attention to the tactics of the Italian police in forcing a confession out of Knox over the course of a 50-hour interrogation without a lawyer present as well as the suspect DNA evidence used against her during the trial. Moore’s involvement with the case later led to his dismissal from the University, which didn’t wish to be seen as connected to the case.
“We are thankful for the support we have received from all over the world. People who took the time to research the case and see that Amanda and Raffaele were innocent,” Deana Knox, Amanda’s sister, said after the verdict was read.
The prosecution is expected to appeal to the Italian Supreme Court.
