Jailed student makes passionate plea for freedom

Amanda Knox, the American student serving a lengthy prison sentence for the murder of her British flatmate, Meredith Kercher, has launched an appeal against her conviction, attacking the Italian legal system and tearfully insisting upon her innocence.

In a passionate speech before the jury in the Italian city of Perugia, the 23-year-old took aim at the prosecutors who had brought her to trial and the imposition of a 26-year sentence.

"I am not the person the accusers say I am," she said.

"They say I am dangerous, devilish, jealous, uncaring and violent. Their theories depend on this, but I was never that girl. People who know me can talk of my real past, not that which is recounted by the tabloids."

Knox was convicted with her former lover Raffaele Sollecito in December 2009 of murdering 21-year-old Kercher from Surrey, England. Their joint appeal, which began two weeks ago with a technical hearing, looks set to hinge on DNA evidence and new witness testimony. For Seattle-born Knox, the outcome is crucial.

"I have seen justice fail me. The truth is not yet recognised, and we are paying with our lives for a crime we did not commit," she told the jury.

"We deserve freedom like anyone here in this courtroom," said Knox. "I am innocent, Raffaele is innocent. We did not kill Meredith. Please believe that there has been an enormous mistake."

Speaking Italian in a shaking voice, a pale-faced Knox claimed she was "honoured and grateful" to have known her flatmate Kercher, who was found in a pool of blood with her throat slit in Perugia in November 2007.

Many were visibly moved by Knox's words. But not everyone was impressed. Giuliano Mignini, the prosecutor who described Knox as vindictive and jealous during her trial last year, watched impassively as she read from prepared notes.

Francesco Maresca, a lawyer representing the Kercher family, left the courtroom as Knox spoke. "She bores me," he said. "Her speech lacked substance, was designed to impress the court and was not genuine."

Following Knox's appeal, lawyers representing her and her former lover were faced with the less spectacular but more complex and crucial task of convincing Judge Claudio Pratillo Hellman and the jury to allow reviews of disputed DNA traces found on a knife at Sollecito's house and on Kercher's bra strap, which were used to convict the couple. If Pratillo Hellman allows the new tests at the next hearing on Sunday, Knox's chances of walking free will increase.

In a surprise move, police yesterday searched the prison cell of a new witness. Luciano Aviello, who is in jail for mafia crimes, has claimed his brother Antonio - a fugitive from justice - killed Kercher. Aviello claims he contacted prosecutors three times in 2007 but was rebuffed. Italian media reports said investigators suspect Aviello may have documents showing he invented his claims.

Rudy Guede, a local drifter who was convicted separately for joining Knox and Sollecitio in the killing, mounts his third and final appeal on Friday.

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