Amanda Knox Reconvicted of Slander in Italy

American student Amanda Knox has been reconvicted of slander in Italy for accusing an innocent man of involvement in the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher.

American student Amanda Knox has been reconvicted of slander in Italy for accusing an innocent man of involvement in the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher.

Knox, who was studying in Italy at the time of the murder, was initially convicted of murder along with her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, in 2007. However, both were acquitted on appeal in 2011.

In 2013, Knox was convicted of slander for falsely accusing Patrick Lumumba, the owner of a bar where she worked, of involvement in Kercher's murder. She was sentenced to three years in prison but did not serve any time as she was already back in the United States at the time of the conviction.

Knox appealed the slander conviction, but her appeal was rejected by the Italian Supreme Court in 2015. In 2016, the Italian government requested Knox's extradition to serve her sentence, but the United States refused.

Earlier in the hearing, Knox's lawyer, Carlo Dalla Vedova, argued that his client had not intended to slander Lumumba and that her statements had been made in good faith. He also said that the prosecution had failed to prove that Knox's statements had caused Lumumba any harm.

However, the court rejected Dalla Vedova's arguments and upheld the original conviction. In a statement released after the hearing, Knox said she was "disappointed" by the court's decision.

"I have always maintained my innocence in this case and I will continue to fight to clear my name," Knox said.

Lumumba's lawyer, Carlo Taormina, said he was "satisfied" with the court's decision.

"This is a victory for Patrick Lumumba and for all those who have been falsely accused of crimes," Taormina said.

The slander conviction is the latest chapter in a long and complex legal saga for Knox. She has always maintained her innocence in Kercher's murder, and has said that she was wrongly convicted.

The Kercher murder case has been the subject of intense media attention and speculation. In 2007, Knox and Sollecito were convicted of murder and sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison, respectively. However, they were both acquitted on appeal in 2011.

In 2013, Knox was convicted of slander for accusing Lumumba of involvement in Kercher's murder. She was sentenced to three years in prison but did not serve any time as she was already back in the United States at the time of the conviction.

Knox appealed the slander conviction, but her appeal was rejected by the Italian Supreme Court in 2015. In 2016, the Italian government requested Knox's extradition to serve her sentence, but the United States refused.

The slander conviction is the latest chapter in a long and complex legal saga for Knox. She has always maintained her innocence in Kercher's murder, and has said that she was wrongly convicted.