Amanda Knox Murder Trial Update: Italian Court Overturns American’s Murder Conviction, Knox Reportedly 'Relieved & Grateful' [PHOTO]
After maintaining her innocence in the death of her former roommate Meredith Kercher for over seven years, American Amanda Knox has officially been acquitted of all charges and had her second conviction in the case overturned by Italy's Court of Cassation.
The court revealed their decision late Friday, after hearing deliberations on whether Knox and her former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, would have their second convictions handed down in January 2014 overturned. Not only did the court choose to annul both verdicts, but they also declined to order another retrial, officially putting a close to the case, which has gripped many for nearly a decade.
This puts an official close to the legal battle that Sollecito and Knox have been embroiled in, as the court's decision was the final say on whether the pair would serve time for Kercher's murder.
Meredith Kercher's Family Hopeful Amanda Knox Will Be Extradited To Italy
According to The Guardian, both Knox and Sollecito are reportedly overjoyed by the verdict, with Knox's lawyer, Carlo Della Vedova, making a statement from outside the courthouse in Italy.
"It's a fair verdict. It's a victory of justice. This was a mistake from the beginning," he said.
In addition, a spokesperson for Knox's family, David Marriott, has called the verdict unexpected, but said he is glad Knox is now officially being declared innocent.
"I personally feel overjoyed that the truth won out, that she is innocent," he said.
Knox and Sollecito were initially convicted of Kercher's murder in 2009, but were acquitted in 2011. They were re-convicted last year, thrusting the case, and the possibility that an extradition battle could be waged for Knox (who had since returned to the U.S.), back into the spotlight.
Kercher's family has not released an official statement on the verdict, but is expected to do so tomorrow. Sollecito has also not made a public comment on the case, though he did thank his supporters on his Facebook page March 26.
Ringrazio tutti i sostenitori di cuore per l'enormità dei messaggi di supporto e di auguri che ricevo per questo mio...
Posted by Raffaele Sollecito on Thursday, March 26, 2015
Knox has also officially released a statement via her lawyer, saying she is "tremendously relieved and grateful" that the case has officially come to a close.
"I am tremendously relieved and grateful for the decision of the Supreme Court of Italy. The knowledge of my innocence has given me strength in the darkest times of this ordeal," she said. "And throughout this ordeal, I have received invaluable support from family, friends, and strangers. To them, I say: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has sustained me. I only wish that I could thank each and every one of you in person."
Her family has also released a statement on the verdict:
"We want to express our profound gratitude to all of those who have supported Amanda and our family. Countless people - from world-renowned DNA experts, to former FBI agents, to everyday citizens committed to justice - have spoken about her innocence," they said. "We are thrilled with and grateful for today's decision from the Supreme Court of Italy. And we are grateful beyond measure for all that so many of you have done for her."
