Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Amanda Knox

Public opinion and media debates around Amanda Knox—discover key moments of controversy.

Amanda Knox is an American author and activist who was wrongfully convicted, then acquitted, of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy. She spent nearly four years in an Italian prison before her acquittal by the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation in 2015. Despite the acquittal for murder, Knox faced legal battles related to the case. In 2024, an Italian appellate court upheld her slander conviction for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba of the murder. The case garnered international attention and raised questions about the Italian justice system and media coverage of criminal trials.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Controversies & Scandals

2007: Wrongful Conviction for Murder

In 2007, Amanda Knox was wrongfully convicted of the murder of Meredith Kercher, a fellow exchange student, in Italy. This event led to her incarceration for almost four years.

2007: Kercher Murder

In 2007, Meredith Kercher was murdered, resulting in the wrongful conviction of Amanda Knox for the crime.

2009: Conviction and Sentencing in Initial Trial

In 2009, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were convicted in their initial trial and sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison, respectively, for the murder of Meredith Kercher. The trial and the resulting guilty verdict caused international controversy.

2010: Indictment for Defamation

In 2010, Amanda Knox was indicted on charges of defamation against the police for saying she had been struck across her head during the interview in which she incriminated herself.

January 30, 2014: Guilty Verdict in Retrial

On January 30, 2014, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty in their retrial for the murder of Meredith Kercher.

December 2020: Guede's Early Release

In December 2020, Rudy Guede was given an early release and authorized to finish his sentence with community service. Amanda Knox spoke out against this decision.

June 2024: Slander Conviction Upheld by Italian Appellate Court

In June 2024, an Italian appellate court upheld Amanda Knox's slander conviction for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba of murdering Meredith Kercher. She was not sentenced to additional prison time.