Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend were found guilty of murder by an Italian court on Thursday.

A judge has sentenced Knox to 28 years in prison for the accused murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher in November 2007, according to New York Daily News Her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito has been sentenced to 25 years.

"I am frightened and saddened by this unjust verdict," Knox said in a statement. "Having been found innocent before, I expected better from the Italian justice system."

"There has always been a marked lack of evidence. My family and I have suffered greatly from this wrongful persecution," Knox continued. "Clearly a wrongful conviction is horrific for the wrongfully accused, but it is also terribly bad for the victim, their surviving family, and society."

Knox was apparently in Seattle, Washington while the verdict was declared in Italy. Sollecito was reportedly in the courtroom, but left before the verdict was announced.

At this point, it appears doubtful that Knox will have to serve any more time in prison.

"U.S...will mount every challenge possible so I don't think she'll serve any time in Italian jail," an Italian attorney said.

Knox and her ex-boyfriend served four years in jail for the accused murder before court appeals reversed the convictions in October 2011, reportedly due to lack of a motive as well as discredited DNA evidence.

Knox's case is likely to continue with Italy's top appeals court. This could last for a year, and Italy will likely not seek an extradition from Knox until the process is finished.

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