Judge: No more DNA testing in Amanda Knox appeal
Reuters
2011-09-07
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Amanda Knox returns to court in Italy for a third day of consecutive appeals hearings.
Knox, and former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, and Ivorian Rudy Guede were convicted and jailed in 2009 for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher after what judges concluded was a frenzied sex game that spiraled out of control.
On Wednesday an appeals rejected a call by the prosecution for more DNA testing in the case.
Kercher was found half naked in November 2007 lying in a pool of blood with her throat cut in the house the two women shared in the Italian town of Perugia.
Amanda Knox's father Curt Knox sounded an optimistic note.
SOUNDBITE: Amanda Knox's father Curt Knox, saying: (English):
"We are very hopeful based upon the results that we will hopefully get to take Amanda home but you know, you never can tell. It's up to the court and they have to decide,"
Judge Claudio Pratillo Hellmann made the decision after days of argument between prosecution and defense lawyers on the status of forensic evidence used to condemn Knox and Sollecito.
Some media following the case have said the judge's decision could imply that the court is preparing to allow Knox to walk free.
Francesco Maresca represents the Kercher family.
SOUNDBITE: Kercher Family Lawyer Francesco Maresca, saying: (Italian):
"The judges are moving forward on the basis of their own conviction. The appeals court has provided a firm reasoning on this, meaning the discussions between experts and the existing forensic evidence allows them to express a judgment. I understand the reasons why they decided to reject this request. The court is clearly happy about the work done on the testing that has been carried out and so it is ready to listen to the closing statements of both sides. We are certainly not talking of a defeat."
Knox's lawyer Luciano Ghirga said his client is still worried.
SOUNDBITE: Knox's lawyer Luciano Ghirga, saying: (Italian):
"Amanda hasn't had said anything because she is very worried about the outcome of this hearing and she is very anxious," said defense lawyer "These are judicial matters that are difficult to understand for her. She is always afraid that something new and negative is coming her way,"
The hearing has now been adjourned until September 23 for closing arguments. A verdict is expected by the end of the month.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
Knox, and former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, and Ivorian Rudy Guede were convicted and jailed in 2009 for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher after what judges concluded was a frenzied sex game that spiraled out of control.
On Wednesday an appeals rejected a call by the prosecution for more DNA testing in the case.
Kercher was found half naked in November 2007 lying in a pool of blood with her throat cut in the house the two women shared in the Italian town of Perugia.
Amanda Knox's father Curt Knox sounded an optimistic note.
SOUNDBITE: Amanda Knox's father Curt Knox, saying: (English):
"We are very hopeful based upon the results that we will hopefully get to take Amanda home but you know, you never can tell. It's up to the court and they have to decide,"
Judge Claudio Pratillo Hellmann made the decision after days of argument between prosecution and defense lawyers on the status of forensic evidence used to condemn Knox and Sollecito.
Some media following the case have said the judge's decision could imply that the court is preparing to allow Knox to walk free.
Francesco Maresca represents the Kercher family.
SOUNDBITE: Kercher Family Lawyer Francesco Maresca, saying: (Italian):
"The judges are moving forward on the basis of their own conviction. The appeals court has provided a firm reasoning on this, meaning the discussions between experts and the existing forensic evidence allows them to express a judgment. I understand the reasons why they decided to reject this request. The court is clearly happy about the work done on the testing that has been carried out and so it is ready to listen to the closing statements of both sides. We are certainly not talking of a defeat."
Knox's lawyer Luciano Ghirga said his client is still worried.
SOUNDBITE: Knox's lawyer Luciano Ghirga, saying: (Italian):
"Amanda hasn't had said anything because she is very worried about the outcome of this hearing and she is very anxious," said defense lawyer "These are judicial matters that are difficult to understand for her. She is always afraid that something new and negative is coming her way,"
The hearing has now been adjourned until September 23 for closing arguments. A verdict is expected by the end of the month.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
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