Former lovers go on trial for Meredith Kercher murder

The trial of two former lovers charged with murdering British student Meredith Kercher is under way in Italy. American Amanda Knox, 21, and Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 24, have been behind bars for more than a year awaiting a decision on whether they should stand trial for the murder of the 21-year-old Leeds University student. Knox, accused of participating in a bungled sex game that led to the murder of her flatmate in Perugia, Italy, is trying to halt sales of a book she claims could stop her having a fair trial. Her lawyer Luciano Ghirga confirmed that his team was seeking a legal ban of the book Amanda and the Others, written by an Italian journalist. The book reportedly contains details about Knox's sex life, which add to the already extensive media coverage of the subject. Her lawyer Luciano Ghirga said the media had created "a false picture" of Knox, adding: "We still hope she will get a fair trial though." A judge has decided that the trial will be held in public, meaning journalists will be allowed inside the Perugia court to cover proceedings. A lawyer for Miss Kercher's family had sought to have the proceedings closed to the public and media to prevent the publication of sensitive evidence. But the judge reserved the right to hold some sessions behind closed doors and will decide on a case-by-case basis whether to do this. Knox and her legal team are believed to be in favour of an open trial. Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was on her year abroad in the Umbrian hilltop town when was found dead in her bedroom on November 2, 2007. She was semi-naked and her throat had been slit. A third person charged with her murder, Rudy Guede, 21, from the Ivory Coast, was found guilty in October 2008 and sentenced to 30 years in prison after a fast-track trial.

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ITN | January 16, 2009

Tags:. .kerchers. .flatmate. .perugia. .raffaele. .bungled