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 and imprisoned in Italy for the 2007 murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. After nearly four years of incarceration, Knox was definitively acquitted by the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation in 2015. The case garnered international attention due to the controversial evidence and legal proceedings. More recently, in 2024 an Italian appellate court upheld her slander conviction for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba of the murder.
November 6, 2007: Arrest of Knox, Sollecito, and Lumumba
On November 6, 2007, Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito, and Patrick Lumumba were arrested and charged with the murder of Meredith Kercher.
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2007: False Accusation of Patrick Lumumba
In 2007, Amanda Knox falsely accused Patrick Lumumba of the murder of Meredith Kercher, which led to a slander conviction that was later upheld in 2024.
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2007: Wrongful Conviction in Meredith Kercher Murder
In 2007, Amanda Knox was wrongfully convicted for the murder of Meredith Kercher, a fellow exchange student in Perugia, Italy.
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December 5, 2009: Knox Convicted and Sentenced
On December 5, 2009, Amanda Knox was convicted on charges including murder and sentenced to 26 years imprisonment.
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2009: Knox and Sollecito Plead Not Guilty
In 2009, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, sexual assault, and other related crimes.
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2009: Knox and Sollecito Convicted in Initial Trial
In 2009, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were convicted in their initial trial for the murder of Meredith Kercher and sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison, respectively.
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2010: Indictment for Defamation Against Police
In 2010, Amanda Knox was indicted on charges of defamation against the police for saying she had been struck during interrogation.
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March 26, 2013: Supreme Court Sets Aside Acquittals
On March 26, 2013, Italy's highest court, the Supreme Court of Cassation, set aside the acquittals from the second-level trial and ordered a retrial.
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January 30, 2014: Knox and Sollecito Found Guilty in Retrial
On January 30, 2014, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty in the retrial.
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December 2020: Guede Given Early Release
In December 2020, Rudy Guede was given an early release and authorized to finish his sentence with community service, which Amanda Knox opposed.
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October 2023: Court of Cassation Orders Retrial
In October 2023, the Court of Cassation ordered a retrial of Amanda Knox's defamation conviction.
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June 2024: Appellate Court Upholds Slander Conviction
In June 2024, an Italian appellate court upheld Amanda Knox's slander conviction for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba of murdering Meredith Kercher in 2007.
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2024: Slander Conviction Upheld
In 2024, an Italian appellate court upheld Amanda Knox's slander conviction for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba of Meredith Kercher's murder.
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