Early Life and Education of Amanda Knox: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Amanda Knox. From birth to education, explore key events.

Amanda Knox is an American woman who was accused and initially convicted of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy. She spent nearly four years in prison before her murder conviction was overturned. In 2015, the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation definitively acquitted her of murder. However, in 2024, an Italian appellate court upheld a calunnia conviction against Knox for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba of the murder. Since her release, Knox has become a public figure, writing books and participating in media projects about her experience and the legal proceedings surrounding the case.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Controversies & Scandals

July 9, 1987: Amanda Knox's Birth

On July 9, 1987, Amanda Marie Knox was born. She is an American woman later accused of the murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy.

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2005: Graduation from Seattle Preparatory School

In 2005, Amanda Knox graduated from Seattle Preparatory School, marking a milestone in her education.

November 6, 2007: Arrest of Knox, Sollecito, and Lumumba

On November 6, 2007, Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito, and Patrick Lumumba were arrested and taken into custody, charged with the murder of Meredith Kercher. Lumumba was later released due to an alibi provided by customers.

November 19, 2007: Skype Conversation and Guede's Account

On November 19, 2007, during a Skype conversation with his friend Giacomo Benedetti, Rudy Guede did not mention Amanda Knox or Raffaele Sollecito as being in the building on the night of the murder. Later his account changed and he indirectly implicated them in the murder.

2007: Dean's List at the University of Washington

In 2007, Amanda Knox made the dean's list at the University of Washington, recognizing her academic achievement.

2007: Move to Perugia and Employment at Le Chic

In 2007, Amanda Knox moved to Perugia for its universities, lived in an apartment with Meredith Kercher and others, and was employed part-time at the bar, Le Chic, owned by Diya Patrick Lumumba.

2007: Accusation of Murder

In 2007, Amanda Knox was accused of the murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, a major event that would define a significant part of her life.

October 2008: Guede Found Guilty of Murder and Sexual Assault

In October 2008, Rudy Guede was found guilty of the sexual assault and murder of Meredith Kercher and sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment, which was ultimately reduced to 16 years.

December 5, 2009: Conviction and Sentencing of Amanda Knox

On December 5, 2009, Amanda Knox was convicted on charges including faking a break-in, defamation, sexual violence, and murder, and was sentenced to 26 years imprisonment.

2009: Knox and Sollecito Plead Not Guilty

In 2009, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito pleaded not guilty at a corte d'assise on charges including murder, sexual assault, and theft. Knox also faced a separate trial for falsely denouncing her employer for the murder.

2009: Conviction and Sentencing in Initial Trial

In 2009, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were convicted and sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison, respectively, marking a significant turn in the legal proceedings.

November 2010: Appeal Trial Begins

In November 2010, the appeal trial of Amanda Knox began, overseen by Judges Claudio Pratillo Hellmann and Massimo Zanetti, which was essentially a new trial to review the case.

2010: Indictment on Defamation Charges

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.

May 2011: Hampikian's Statement on Forensic Results

In May 2011, Greg Hampikian stated that forensic results from the crime scene pointed to Rudy Guede as the killer and to his having acted on his own.

October 3, 2011: Knox and Sollecito Found Not Guilty

On October 3, 2011, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were found not guilty of the murder of Meredith Kercher, marking a significant turning point in the legal proceedings.

2011: Return to the United States

After returning to the United States in late 2011, Amanda Knox completed her degree and worked on a book about her case, while also dealing with media attention and family debts.

2011: Return to Seattle and Meeting Christopher Robinson

In 2011, Amanda Knox returned to Seattle, where she first met author Christopher Robinson.

2011: Knox Freed After Prolonged Legal Process

In 2011, Amanda Knox was freed, but a prolonged legal process, including a successful prosecution appeal against her acquittal at a second-level trial, continued.

March 26, 2013: Supreme Court Sets Aside Acquittals and Orders Retrial

On March 26, 2013, Italy's highest court, the Supreme Court of Cassation, set aside the acquittals of the Hellmann second level trial and ordered a retrial for Amanda Knox.

2013: Release of Waiting to Be Heard: A Memoir

In 2013, Amanda Knox's first book, Waiting to Be Heard: A Memoir was released, providing her account of the events related to her case.

Waiting to Be Heard: A Memoir

Check it on Amazon

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, marking a setback in their legal battle.

March 27, 2015: Definitive Exoneration by Italy's Highest Court

On March 27, 2015, Italy's highest court definitively exonerated Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, bringing a major chapter of the legal battle to a close. However, Knox's conviction for committing defamation against Lumumba was upheld by all courts.

September 7, 2015: Report on Acquittal Published

On September 7, 2015, the Court published the report on the acquittal of Amanda Knox, citing "glaring errors", "investigative amnesia", and "guilty omissions" in the original murder conviction.

2015: Acquittal of Murder by Italian Supreme Court

In 2015, Amanda Knox was acquitted of murder by the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation, marking the end of a prolonged legal battle.

January 14, 2016: Acquittal of Defamation for Police Interrogation

On January 14, 2016, Amanda Knox was acquitted of defamation for saying she had been struck by policewomen during the interrogation.

2018: Hosting The Scarlet Letter Reports

In 2018, Amanda Knox began hosting The Scarlet Letter Reports, a television series examining the "gendered nature of public shaming."

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January 24, 2019: ECHR Orders Italy to Pay Compensation to Knox

On January 24, 2019, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ordered Italy to pay compensation to Amanda Knox for violating her rights during her arrest in Perugia, specifically for not providing her with a lawyer or a competent interpreter.

2019: Engagement Announcement

In 2019, Amanda Knox and Christopher Robinson announced their engagement.

February 29, 2020: Marriage to Christopher Robinson

On February 29, 2020, Amanda Knox married author Christopher Robinson.

December 2020: Guede's Early Release and Community Service

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.

December 2020: Guede Authorized to Complete Term with Community Service

In December 2020, an Italian court ruled that Rudy Guede could complete his term by doing community service, altering the trajectory of his imprisonment.

October 2021: Announcement of First Child's Birth

In an October 2021 interview with The New York Times, Amanda Knox announced the birth of her first child, a daughter, who had been born several months prior to October 2021.

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2022: Reform to the Code of Criminal Procedure

In 2022, a reform to the code of criminal procedure was made, enabling Amanda Knox to appeal her conviction for defamation of Patrick Lumumba.

September 2023: Birth of Second Child

In September 2023, Amanda Knox gave birth to her second child, a son.

Others born on this day/year

October 2023: Retrial Ordered for Defamation Case

In October 2023, the Court of Cassation ordered a retrial of Amanda Knox's defamation case against Patrick Lumumba, based on the ECHR's ruling regarding her rights during police interviews.

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, though she was not sentenced to additional prison time.

2024: Calunnia Conviction Upheld

In 2024, an Italian appellate court upheld Amanda Knox's calunnia conviction for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba of murdering Meredith Kercher, adding another layer to the legal complexities surrounding her case.