SEATTLE, Washington / PERUGIA, Italy (Isabelle Zehnder reporting) -- American student Amanda Knox, charged and convicted in the 2007 murder of her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, was found "not guilty" on appeal Monday and is headed home to Seattle.
Amanda was acquitted and ordered immediately released from prison. Upon hearing the verdict, and after spending four long years in prison, Amanda collapsed in tears.
Also acquitted Monday was Amanda's former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, who was also wrongly convicted in Meredith's murder. He, too, was ordered released from prison immediately. Amanda was 20 at the time of the murder, Raffaele was 23.
During her testimony Amanda fought back tears and took deep breaths as she worked to get through her testimony. She managed to maintain her composure during her 10-minute address to six jury members and two judges.
Amanda's family, friends, and long-time supporters were elated at the jury's decision Monday. Examiner.com has heard from some of Amanda's long-time supporters, including an attorney who has spent months reviewing evidence and assisting in proving Amanda's innocence.
Emails to Journalist Isabelle Zehnder just hours after court ruling
Sarah Snyder - Supporter
Long-time supporter Sarah Snyder said in an email Monday, "An injustice has been corrected today.
"A wrongful conviction has been overturned. I am joyful for Amanda, Raffaele and their families!
"As a memeber of Injustice in Perugia, I know many people around the world have worked to make this injustice known and overturned. It's a happy and joyous day for justice! Amanda and Raffaele are innocent and I'm glad to see their freedom restored."
Bruce Fisher - Supporter, author
Bruce Fisher, who wrote the book Injustice in Perugia, said in an email Monday afternoon, "Judge Hellmann spoke loud and clear today when he declared that Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecity are innocent. They had absolutely nothing to do with Meredith Kercher's murder. The nightmare for Amanda and Raffaele has finally ended and not the healing can begin.
Ray Turner - Supporter
Supporter Ray Turner, who runs the blog The Ridiculous Case Against Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, said via email Monday, “Today is vindication.”
David D. Kamanski, Esq. - Attorney
Attorney David D. Kamanski said in an email Monday, "As a long time attorney with an 18 year old daughter, and person who traveled to and loved Italy, I became very concerned that the original verdict was a huge mistake.
"I contacted Friends of Amanda and asked for an opportunity to review evidence from the case.
"I spent months reviewing photos, videos, exhibits, testimony, news articles, news videos and major web sites. I became quite convinced that Amanda Knox & Raffaele Sollecito were innocent.
"I got involved with Bruce Fisher and others which led to getting the two Appeals and he and I did summaries of over 450 pages. I became quite involved with helping demonstrate her innocence and spent considerable time providing pro Bono support to the efforts.
"I am absolutely thrilled with the verdict today and the recognition by the court that both Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito are completely innocent.
"I have long been providing my opinion that the prosecution lacked the requirements of Italian law that they must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
"I am so pleased that this has been recognized by the jury and that the truth has emerged and resulted in justice. Congratulations to Amanda & Raffaele, their families and friends, this is the right result!" Kamanski said.
Jason Leznek - Supporter
Another long-time supporter of Amanda and her family said in an email Monday, "Along with the rest of their supporters, I am thrilled and relieved to see Amanda and Raffaele exonerated.
"They’ve maintained their innocence all along, and I’m really excited to see them rejoin their families and move forward with their promising lives."
Few details
Amanda and her former boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were tried in an Italian court in 2009 and found guilty in Meredith’s murder. They were serving 26 and 25 year prison sentences, respectively.
Meredith was stabbed to death in her bedroom. She was found in a pool of blood covered by a duvet the following day.
Also convicted in Meredith’s murder was a man named Rudy Hermann Guede, and Ivorian man. There was plenty of evidence that Rudy had been in the room the night Meredith was murdered. Read: Amanda Knox: Shocking truth about evidence not collected by forensic police.
All along Amanda’s family, friends, supporters, and some American media have said there was no evidence to prove Amanda or Raffaele were guilty of murder.
Earlier Monday hundreds of reporters and cameras filled the underground courtroom. They heard as Amanda tearfully told the Italian appeals court she did not kill Meredith, and pleaded to the court to free her so she can return to the United States after spending four years of her life behind bars.
Moments later the court began deliberations. For more read: Amanda Knox – not guilty, heading home to Seattle
Click on SUBSCRIBE link above if you'd like to receive updates from this Seattle Healines Examiner. Further statements, including from Amanda's family and others who supported them, are forthcoming.
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