Discover the defining moments in the early life of Amanda Knox. From birth to education, explore key events.
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.
July 9, 1987: Amanda Knox's Birth
On July 9, 1987, Amanda Marie Knox was born. She later became an American author, activist, and journalist.
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2005: Graduation from Seattle Preparatory School
In 2005, Amanda Knox graduated from Seattle Preparatory School.
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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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November 19, 2007: Guede's Skype Conversation
On November 19, 2007, during a Skype conversation, Rudy Guede did not mention Knox or Sollecito being at the scene of the crime.
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2007: Dean's List at the University of Washington
In 2007, Amanda Knox made the dean's list at the University of Washington.
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2007: Move to Perugia, Italy
In 2007, Amanda Knox moved to Perugia, Italy, as an exchange student and shared an apartment with Meredith Kercher and others.
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October 2008: Guede Found Guilty
In October 2008, Rudy Guede was found guilty of the sexual assault and murder of Meredith Kercher and sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment.
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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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November 2010: Appeal Trial Begins
In November 2010, the appeal trial (second grade) began, presided over by Judges Claudio Pratillo Hellmann and Massimo Zanetti.
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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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May 2011: Forensic Results Point to Guede as Sole Killer
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 alone.
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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 in the appeal trial.
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2011: Knox Freed After Initial Acquittal
In 2011, Amanda Knox was freed after an initial acquittal, though a prolonged legal process continued.
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2011: Return to the United States
In late 2011, Amanda Knox returned to the United States, completed her degree, and began working on a book about her case.
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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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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 in the Meredith Kercher murder case.
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September 7, 2015: Court Report on Acquittal Published
On September 7, 2015, the court published the report on the acquittal, citing "glaring errors", "investigative amnesia", and "guilty omissions" in the original conviction.
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2015: Definitive Acquittal by Italian Supreme Court
In 2015, the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation definitively acquitted Amanda Knox of the murder of Meredith Kercher.
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January 14, 2016: Acquittal of Defamation for Police Accusation
On January 14, 2016, Amanda Knox was acquitted of defamation for saying she had been struck by policewomen during interrogation.
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February 29, 2020: Marriage to Christopher Robinson
On February 29, 2020, Amanda Knox married author Christopher Robinson.
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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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December 2020: Rudy Guede Released for Community Service
In December 2020, an Italian court ruled that Rudy Guede, convicted in Meredith Kercher's murder, could complete his term by doing community service.
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October 2021: Birth of First Child
In October 2021, Amanda Knox announced the birth of her first child, a daughter, who was born several months prior.
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2022: Reform to Code of Criminal Procedure
In 2022, a reform to the code of criminal procedure enabled Amanda Knox to appeal her conviction for defamation of Patrick Lumumba.
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September 2023: Birth of Second Child
In September 2023, Amanda Knox gave birth to their second child, a son.
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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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