American college student Amanda Knox was found guilty of slaying her British roommate and sentenced to 26 years in prison early Saturday after a year-long trial that gripped Italy and drew intense media attention.
Her co-defendant, former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, was sentenced to 25 years to jail. The two also were found guilty of sexual assault in the 2007 slain of Meredith Kercher, a 21-year-old student from England.
“No, no,” Knox said, bursting into tears and clinging to one of her lawyers as the judge read the verdict just after midnight following some 13 hours of deliberations.
Amada Knox’s father, Curt Knox, asked if he would fight on for his daughter, replied, with tears in his eyes: “Hell, yes.”
Amanda’s Stepmother Mother, Cassandra Knox said: ”This is just wrong,” turning around immediately after hearing the verdict. Her family had insisted that Amanda Knox was innocent and just a victim of a plot.
According to the verdict, both defendants Amanda and her biyfriend, together they must pay the victim’s family $7.4 million dollars. While the verdict was being read, Knox sobbed.
