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Meredith Kercher killer jailed for 30 years

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Marie Claire World News: Meredith Kercher

A 21-year-old, unemployed man has been sentenced to 30 years in an Italian jail for the murder of British exchange student Meredith Kercher.

Rudy Guede, described as a 'drifter', was found guilty in a fast-track trial, after a jury heard his bloody fingerprints were discovered in Miss Kercher's bedroom.

Miss Kercher, 21, from South London was found dead at a student house share flat in Perugia on 2 November last year.

Two other suspects in the case, Amanda Knox, 21, from Seattle, who was Miss Kercher's flatmate and Raffaele Sollecito, 24, from Bari in Southern Italy and Knox's ex-boyfriend, were also officially charged last night with her murder and will also stand trial for her murder on 4 December.

The Leeds University student had travelled abroad to live in the Umbrian town for a year as part of her degree course.

Prosecutors in the case say Miss Kercher was murdered after she was pushed into taking part in a sexual orgy with the three suspects. Her half-naked body was discovered by police and her throat had been cut. Both Guede and Sollecito claim it was Miss Knox who slit her throat.

Although Guede had admitted being in the property at the time of the murder, he denied any misconduct.

In a press conference following the sentencing, Miss Kercher's brother said he was 'satisfied' with the verdict. Her sister, Stephanie, added it was a 'difficult time of year for us now' and that there was a 'lot of emotion at the moment' for the Kercher family.

Wednesday 29 October 2008

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The preliminary judge in the investigation, judge Claudia Metteini, the judges at the Italian Supreme Court, and now judge Paolo Micheli have all said there are serious indications of Amanda Knox's guilt.

There are 7 pieces of forensic evidence that link Amanda to the crime, including Amanda's DNA on the handle of the knife found at Raffaele Sollecito's apartment and Meredith Kercher's DNA on the blade, and Amanda's bare footprints set in Meredith's blood.

Amanda knew precise details about the crime and the crime scene which she could only have known if she had been present when Meredith was murdered. Amanda herself admitted she was present when Meredith was murdered in her handwritten note to the police on 6 November.

Amanda and Raffaele not only gave conflicting witness statements, but also gave completely different accounts of where they were, who they were with and what they were doing on the night of the murder.

Comment by Harry on November 01 14:58