After having to wait a full day to hear the Italian court's decision, Amanda Knox will have to face a retrial for the 2007 murder of her study abroad Meredith Kercher.
Knox's case has been filled with controversy ever since its inception, and has over the years drawn much criticism of the Italian judicial system. With today's order for a retrial, those criticisms are sure to continue. Knox said that the new trial must include a fair investigation and a competent prosecution.
"It was painful to receive the news," Knox said in a statement, claiming that the case against her "has been repeatedly revealed to be completely unfounded and unfair".
The case first gripped national headlines when Kercher's body was found with over 40 gashes and a deep slice of the throat in the Perugia, Italy residence she shared with Knox. Prosecutors were quick to accuse Knox and her then-boyfriend Rafaele Sollecito of murdering Kercher during a drug-fueled sexual escapade that got out of hand.
In 2009 they were both found guilty of murder and sentenced to 26 (Knox) and 25 (Sollecito) years in prison. However, in 2011 their conviction was overturned due in large part to forensic experts challenging the findings from the original police investigation.
"The prosecution responsible for the many discrepancies in their work must be made to answer for them, for Raffaele's sake, my sake and most especially for the sake of Meredith's family. Our hearts go out to them," said Knox.
After today's ruling by the Court of Cassation in Italy, Knox will now be ordered to return to the country for the trial. It is uncertain whether she will do that, though.
If Knox does not come willingly then Italy would have to request extradition from the United States. In the U.S., retrials after an acquittal (known as 'double jeopardy') are not allowed and therefore the U.S. government may not grant Italy the extradition it needs to prosecute Knox.
To that end, Knox has yet to publicly declare what her intent is in the matter. She has only issued a brief statement after the latest ruling, and has not directly stated what line of action she will take, stating only:
"No matter what happens, my family and I will face this continuing legal battle as we always have, confident in the truth and with our heads held high in the face of wrongful accusations and unreasonable adversity."
© 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
