Amanda Knox Latest News: Faces $12M Civil Law Suit From Kercher Family
Meredith Kercher’s family may move forward with a $12 million civil suit against Amanda Knox, who was recently acquitted of murdering their daughter/sister.
Knox’s legal bills, which totaled over $1 million, was no easy feat for her family – and now Knox is faced with a $12 million lawsuit, according to ABC affiliate KSAX News.
"In Italy criminal and civil [cases] move hand-in-hand. There was an initial civil ruling that was ordered for many millions of dollars. That was then overturned on appeal so it is difficult to figure out how they’re [Kercher family] going to sue for this again," legal analyst Dan Abrams told "Good Morning America."
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According to Abrams, the family could not file the suit in England or America, but could sue in Italy where the "incident occurred."
There is no word on Knox’s response to the civil suit.
Following Amanda Knox’s acquittal, Stephanie Kercher, Meredith’s sister, said her family is waiting on the Italian court’s explanation of the verdict.
"Once we've got the reasons behind the decisions for this one, then we can understand why they have been acquitted of it and work toward finding those who are responsible," she told reporters at a news conference in Perugia, Italy NBC wrote.
"That's the biggest disappointment, not knowing still and knowing that there is someone or people out there who have done this," Kercher added.
An appeals court acquitted Amanda Knox of murdering her British roommate, who was killed during a drug-influenced sex game that went awry. A jury of six, along with two judges, overturned Knox’s 26-year jail sentence for the 2007 murder.
Kercher’s body, covered with over 40 wounds and her throat slit, was discovered in a pool of blood – in the apartment the two women shared.
Knox, her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, and a drifter from the Ivory Coast Rudy Guede were previously convicted in 2009 of the murder.
During her appeals trial, Knox’s attorneys argued that the DNA evidence against the 24-year-old was highly flawed, following a forensics review which cast a shadow of doubt on the traces of DNA found on a kitchen knife and Kercher’s bra clasp.
Both Knox and Sollecito were acquitted of the Kercher murder charges Oct. 3. However, Guede remains imprisoned and is serving a 16-sentence for his role in the murder.
Amanda Knox touched American soil for the first time in four years Tuesday, Oct. 4 – following her arrival in Seattle, Wash., on a British Airways flight.
“I’m really overwhelmed right now,” Knox tearfully told supporters upon landing. “I was looking down from the airplane, and it seemed like everything wasn’t real.”
Her voice was cracking with emotion as she said, "What's important for me to say is just thank you, to everyone who has believed in me, who has defended me, who has supported my family.”
According to Knox, the most important thing to her right now was to be with her family.
“Thank you for being there for me,” she added.
