Amanda Knox murder case reopens in Italy

The appeal by American Amanda Knox against her conviction for killing her British roommate in Italy entered its final stretch yesterday.

Knox, 24, who has been in jail since November 2007, was relieved to be back in court after the summer break, but anxious as the trial drew to a close, her family said.

The sister of victim Meredith Kercher issued a letter asking the appeal court to assess "every single (piece) of evidence" so that justice could be done.

"My sister, a daughter brutally and selfishly taken from us nearing four years ago - and yet a not a single day goes by that we can grasp any peace or closure," Stephanie Kercher wrote.

The appeal trial picks up where it left off before the summer recess in late July: with questioning of independent experts who have reviewed the collection and analysis of DNA evidence used to convict Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito.

The two were convicted in December 2009 of sexually assaulting and killing Kercher in the apartment Knox and the 21-year-old Briton shared while studying in Perugia.

Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison, and Sollecito to 25. Both deny wrongdoing; Sollecito has also appealed.

The parties are expected to sum up their cases this week. A verdict is expected by the end of the month.

(Published by The Australian - September 6, 2011)