American student’s defense begins closing arguments in Italy murder trial

Knox’s defense begins closing arguments in Italy

PERUGIA, Italy — Defense lawyers for an American student accused of killing her British roommate in Italy have begun their closing arguments, seeking to show that evidence in the case isn’t sufficient to convict her.

Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito are being tried in Perugia for the 2007 slaying of Meredith Kercher. They deny wrongdoing.

Knox’s defense lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova took the stand Tuesday as the year-long trial entered its final phase. A verdict is expected this week.

Kercher’s body was found in the apartment she shared with Knox on Nov. 2, 2007. Prosecutors believe the Briton was the victim of a drug-fueled sex game involving Knox, Sollecito and Rudy Hermann Guede, who was convicted last year in a separate trial.