The retrial judges in the Amanda Knox case have ruled that she likely dealt the fatal blow to British student Meredith Kercher.
In a court document that explains their January 30th decision, the judges state that Kercher had been killed by two different weapons and that there was reliable evidence that both Knox and former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were involved.
The judges made the following statement in their ruling:
“The court believes the knife which produced the injury on the left side of the victim’s neck where the greatest amount of blood flowed and caused the death of Meredith Kercher was held by Amanda Knox.”
There have been conflicting stories as to why Kercher was found murdered in November 2007.
Knox and Sollecito both claimed that Kercher was killed by Rudy Guede following group sexual intercourse.
The judges determined this explanation was “not believable.”
Said the judges, “This is not consistent with the personality of the English girl.”
What the Florence judges believed happened is that Kercher was killed by her roommate Knox following an argument over money.
Convicted Murderer #AmandaKnox 'Delivered Fatal Blow to #MeredithKercher' http://t.co/7GYHIjcOfM
@bbc5live @GMA @CNN pic.twitter.com/M0SJWvzp78
— Phil (@PhiIIip_Thomas) April 30, 2014
DNA taken from Kercher’s bra was linked to Sollecito, who the Italian court felt had attempted to manipulate the evidence of what happened that night.
The judges said that along with Guede, who is currently serving a 16 year sentence for his role in the killing, Knox and Sollecito are “equally responsible” for Kercher’s muder.
Meredith Kercher 'unlawfully killed' coroner rules – six years after student's death http://t.co/hseSdMtJIB pic.twitter.com/nb28F9Bh5O
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) March 25, 2014
Despite the decision of these judges to uphold the 2009 ruling, which found both Knox and Sollecito guilty, it’s doubtful that either party will submit themselves willingly to Italian authorities.
Amanda Knox, now 26 years old, has already stated that she will fight any attempts to extradite her from the United States back to Italy.
Knox 'had fight over money with Meredith Kercher' on night of student's murder http://t.co/0txygQF6GN pic.twitter.com/oMEzjukrei
— The Independent (@Independent) April 30, 2014
Following the ruling, Knox faces a possible sentence of 28 years and 6 months in prison.
Image via YouTube