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Murder Scene Yanked From Knox Movie

Controversial film still criticized, despite edits

By Mark Russell, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 20, 2011 7:07 AM CST

(Newser) – The Amanda Knox movie just got a last-second edit: The scene in which a screaming, half-dressed Meredith Kercher is stabbed to death has been cut from the final version of the controversial TV movie, reports the Telegraph. The movie does, however, still feature one of Kercher's assailants watching the killing. The Lifetime movie Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy features Hayden Panettiere as the American student convicted with two others in the infamous 2007 assault in Italy.

Both Knox's and Kercher's families have criticized the film. Knox's family said it was prejudicial to their daughter's appeal, and Kercher's family have objected to the media treatment of the case in general. "It seems very odd that they have called it after Amanda Knox when it was Meredith who lost her life," said Kercher's mother. "It's upsetting that the whole thing is going to be re-created on screen." The movie debuts tomorrow.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Hayden Panetierre, left, star of "The Amanda Knox Story," looks at fellow cast member Marcia Gay Harden as she answers a reporter's question. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

US Amanda Knox arrives in court before the start of her appeal trial in Perugia's courthouse on January 22, 2011. (Getty Images)

Hayden Panettiere portrays US student Amanda Knox in the made for TV film about the murder of British student, Meredith Kercher. (AP Photo/Lifetime Entertainment Services. PA)

This is an undated file photo released by the Italian Police of 22-year-old murdered British university student Meredith Kercher. (AP Photo/Italian Police, File)

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Hayden Panettiere plays US student Amanda Knox, who's serving a 26-year prison term in Italy for the murder of her British flatmate Meredith Kercher. (Reuters Entertainment)

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Murder Scene Yanked From Knox Movie

Controversial film still criticized, despite edits

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Italy • murder • Perugia • Meredith Kercher • Amanda Knox • Hayden Panettiere • Amanda Knox trial • Amanda Knox movie

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More Newser Stories

Convicts: Knox Wasn't at Murder Scene

Say Rudy Guede told them in prison he and a friend killed Meredith Kercher

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Co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito also insists in his own innocence

Knox Acted Out of 'Hatred': Prosecutor

Closing argument speaks of 'crescendo of violence'

Knox Plans Final 'Plea for Her Life'

'It's going to be a heartfelt statement': father

DNA Results May Give Hope to Amanda Knox

There's not enough DNA on alleged murder weapon to test

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