PERUGIA, ITALY: AMANDA KNOX GUILTY, GETS 26 YEARS

Victim's family satisfied with Amanda Knox guilty verdict
December 5, 2009 / CNN

Perugia, Italy (CNN) -- Family members of Meredith Kercher said Saturday that they were satisfied with the verdict that found American Amanda Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, guilty in the brutal knifing of their loved one.

"Ultimately we are pleased with the decision," said Lyle Kercher, Meredith's brother. "But it was not a moment of celebration. We are here because our sister was brutally murdered."

Knox was given a 26-year sentence; Sollecito was sentenced to 25 years Friday for the murder of Kercher. Both will appeal, attorneys said.

Arline Kercher, Meredith's mother, said she believed the two were guilty.
"You have to go with the evidence," she said.

Knox and Sollecito were charged with murder and sexual violence in Kercher's death in November 2007. Knox and Kercher, both studying abroad, were roommates. A third suspect was found guilty in a separate trial.


The two were convicted on all charges except theft and together must pay 5 million euros ($7.4 million) to the victim's family. In addition, Knox must pay 40,000 euros ($60,000) to a man whom she falsely accused of the killing.

The jury reached its verdict after deliberating nearly 11 hours on the 11 counts.
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of life in prison. Italy does not have the death penalty.

AMANDA KNOX, RAFFAELE SOLLECITO GET YEARS IN ITALIAN PRISON...
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/05/italy.kercher.react/