Mez: Spiral of Damage *UpDtd (5#) -

IMO: Meredith Kercher -

Link Added: 7:30pm -

A preliminary hearing was held in court today with regard to slander charges against convicted killer, Amanda Knox. The purpose of the hearing was to resolve an effort by her lawyers to change the judge, Claudia Matteini, assigned to the matter.

Knox claimed that she was brutalized by the police into accusing a respected member of Perugia's business community of the murder of her flatmate. That business no longer exists as a lively social gathering point or as a contributor to the local economy.

Her presence today may not have been required, but Knox appeared in court where she wanted to make a statement, her lawyer, Luciano Ghirga, explained:

"She is sad about
the presumption of guilt surrounding her."

Knox has bobbed her hair into a gamine style and wore a low-cut yellow knit top and white trousers for her first public emergence since conviction. Prison authorities now permit her to keep a computer in her confinement.

::ABC - Ann Wise in Rome and Enzo Beretta in Perugia

:: UK Daily Mail :: - - - :: UK Press ::

::UK Telegraph - Nick Squires in Rome

:: Barbie Nadeau - TDB ::

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