Amanda Knox Verdict 2015 Latest News: Italy's Top Court Acquits Knox in Meredith Kercher Murder Case
Italy's highest court acquitted American Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend, Raffele Sollecito, of murder for the killing of her rommate in 2007.
In its decision, the Court of Cassation overturned the second guilty verdict against the two for the murder of 21-year-old Meredith Kercher in Italy.
Knox served four years in an Italian jail before she was acquitted in 2011 and returned to Seattle. In a retrial, Knox and Sollecito were convicted again last year.
"I am tremendously relieved and grateful for the decision of the Supreme Court of Italy" said Knox in a statement after the verdict, according to NBC News.
"The knowledge of my innocence has given me strength in the darkest times of this ordeal," she added. "And throughout this ordeal, I have received invaluable support from family, friends, and strangers. To them, I say: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has sustained me. I only wish that I could thank each and every one of you in person."
The Knox family said they "want to express our profound gratitude to all of those who have supported Amanda and our family."
They added, "Countless people — from world-renowned DNA experts, to former FBI agents, to everyday citizens committed to justice — have spoken about her innocence. We are thrilled with and grateful for today's decision from the Supreme Court of Italy.And we are grateful beyond measure for all that so many of you have done for her."
Knox said Kercher "was my friend."
"She deserved so much in this life. I'm the lucky one," she said.
Kercher, Reuters said, was stabbed in a house she shared with Knox.
Rudy Guede was convicted and is now serving his 16-year sentence.
Know'x lawer, Carlo Dalla Vedova, said, ""We shouldn't have had to wait all these years, but we have a good decision today, so we are happy,."
Francesco Maresca, a lawyer for the Kercher family, said the decision is a defeat for Italy's justice system.
"The judges said there is a lack of proof and whoever acted with Guede has not been found," he said according to Reuters.