The second convictions of Amanda Knox and Raffaele
Sollecito for
the murder of 21 year old Meredith Kercher in 2007 has been annulled by Italy's highest court.
The decision ends
a tortuous legal odyssey that lasted more than seven years and
ultimately included two convictions and two acquittals for Knox and
Sollecito.
Knox
said she is “tremendously
relieved and grateful” about the court’s decision, and
thanked supporters. “To them, I say: Thank you from the bottom ofmy heart.
Your kindness has sustained me. I only wish that I could
thank each and every one of you in person.
”Kercher’s
mother said she was “surprised
and very shocked” by the decision,
and the family is expected to make a formal statement on Saturday.
“They have been convicted twice so it’s a bit odd that it should
change now,” she said.Sollecito
is “happy
and incredulous”, his
lawyer told the Guardian, after the attorney herself ran from the
courtroom shouting with joy upon hearing the judges’ ruling.
“It’s
a victory of justice. This was a mistake from the beginning,”
Knox’s lawyer said.
