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Tearful Knox to Court: 'I Did Not Kill, I Did Not Rape'

She addresses court in advance of verdict expected tonight

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 3, 2011 6:29 AM CDT | Updated Oct 3, 2011 6:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – Amanda Knox gave an emotional appeal to an Italian court today, insisting, "I did not kill, I did not rape" Meredith Kercher. "I am paying with my life for things that I did not commit," said a shaking and tearful Knox in fluent Italian. "I am not who they say I am. The perversion, the violence, the lack of respect for life—I did not do the things they are saying I did. I did not kill, I did not rape, I did not steal. I was not there." She worked on the speech for three months, her father tells the BBC, and the Telegraph adds that she did not use any notes while speaking. A verdict is expected late today, Reuters reports.

Knox insisted that she had "good relationships" with all her flatmates, including Kercher, even though Knox was "untidy, careless." "I shared my life, particularly with Meredith," Knox said. Her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, who is also appealing his murder conviction, gave his own address, asserting his innocence and denying that he ever accused Knox of the murder.

Amanda Knox, left arrives for an appeal hearing at the Perugia court, central Italy, Monday, Oct. 3, 2011.
Amanda Knox, left arrives for an appeal hearing at the Perugia court, central Italy, Monday, Oct. 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Stefano Medici)
Amanda Knox talks with her lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova upon arrival for an appeal hearing at the Perugia court, central Italy, Monday, Oct. 3, 2011.
Amanda Knox talks with her lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova upon arrival for an appeal hearing at the Perugia court, central Italy, Monday, Oct. 3, 2011.   (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
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I am not who they say I am. The perversion, the violence, the lack of respect for life—I did not do the things they are saying I did. - Amanda Knox

I lost a friend, in the most brutal and inexplicable way possible. My absolute faith in the police authorities was betrayed, I've had to face absolutely unfair ... and baseless accusations. - Amanda Knox

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
CarlKolchak
Oct 4, 2011 7:51 PM CDT
Not a big secret that the Italian court  system is a joke...verdicts based on hear say and the like. 0 evidence...pathetic that it got this far...
persimmone
Oct 3, 2011 12:14 PM CDT
Hope she gets put away for life - Justice for for her victim. May Amanda rot away !
Rammrodd
Oct 3, 2011 9:45 AM CDT
Obnoxy Knoxy, guilty as sin. Flopsy Knoxy, stay in the pen.

 
Meredith Kercher • Amanda Knox • Raffaele Sollecito • Amanda Knox trial • Meredith Kercher trial

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