Perugia, Italy - Independent legal experts have 90 days to begin next month, still no conclusive evidence linking American student Amanda Knox and the murder of her roommate English, the Court of Appeal said on Saturday.
Knox was convicted in 2009 rape and murder of Meredith Kercher, and was sentenced to 26 years in prison. His co-defendant and former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito was also sentenced to 25 years. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
Their lawyers have contested the DNA evidence used to back up their beliefs and to obtain an independent evaluation at the beginning of the appeal process.
The experts, appointed by the court of appeal, Stefano Conti and Carla vecchiotti of Rome La Sapienza University, was officially sworn in during a hearing Saturday, the first of the new year. They will begin their review on February 9 at a university laboratory, concluded on May 9 and will present their findings to the court on May 21
Kerch was stabbed to death the night of 1 November 2007. His body was found in a pool of blood in the apartment the day after the 21-year shared with Knox. They were both exchange students in Perugia, a university town in central Italy.
Prosecutors maintained during the first trial, Knox's DNA was found on the handle of a kitchen knife they believe to be the murder weapon and the Kerch DNA was found on the blade. They say Sollecito's DNA was found on the loop bra Kerch.
Defense says DNA evidence was unclear and that they may have been contaminated when they are collected and analyzed.
The two independent experts can make an analysis of the DNA that is found, or if not possible, screening tests to be carried out by previous forensic experts and assess whether they are reliable. Experts nominated by the prosecution and defense present during the examination.
Although the evidence of the audit performed, the process will continue the witnesses called by the defense intends to question the reliability of a key witness said he saw Knox and Sollecito house the night of the murder. Sollecito Knox and Sollecito were at home.