Amanda Knox murder appeal hearing nears end

Prosecutors have demanded that the court throws out an appeal by Knox against her conviction for murdering a British housemate in a drug-fuelled sex game, saying it must ignore an “obsessive” media campaign.

The courtroom has been packed for the final stages of Knox’s appeal, in a case that has grabbed headlines in Italy, Britain and the United States.

Knox, 24, looked pale and nervous as she was ushered into the hearing besieged by television cameras and curious onlookers.

If acquitted, both Knox and her ex-boyfriend would be freed immediately, said Carlo Fiorio, a professor of criminal procedure at the University of Perugia. But if the appeal is rejected they could have their sentences confirmed, shortened or lengthened, he said.

Rudy Guede, an Ivorian drifter with a criminal record, was convicted of taking part in Kercher’s murder in 2008 and given a 30-year jail term.

Knox, who has been in prison for nearly four years, including the period before her first trial, was sentenced in 2009 to 26 years in prison and her Italian ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito to 25 years for the murder. Both say they are innocent.

Doubt over DNA evidence

Knox’s hopes of being set free were a strong boost by an independent report earlier this year that cast major doubt on DNA evidence used to convict her, and which also cited bungling by police scientists.

But prosecutors urged the jury to look past the confusion in the case, maintaining that Kercher’s blood was on a knife handled by Knox that was identified as the murder weapon and that Sollecito’s DNA was found on Kercher’s bra clasp.

Both pieces of police evidence were rejected by the independent forensic experts. The hearing began with a rare appearance by Perugia’s chief prosecutor to express support for the case against Knox.