Amanda Knox to be Sued for $12M by Meredith Kercher Family (VIDEO)
Slain Student's Kin to Sue Amanda Knox
The family of slain foreign exchange student Meredith Kercher will be suing Amanda Knox for $12 million, according to a family spokesman.
Knox was released from an Italian prison 2 weeks ago after almost 4 years behind bars.
The Kercher family has decided to move forward with the civil suit against Knox, who was acquitted of murder.
Meredith Kercher Family: Knoxy You Owe Us $12M
Knox’s family raised the money for her legal bills with great difficulty, through civic organizations and other relatives. The costs for Knox's defense totaled over $1 million – and now Knox is faced with a $12 million lawsuit.
The Knox family has had no response to news of the proposed suit, the Kercher family is awaiting word from the Italian government on the specific reasons for Knox's acquittal before presssing foreward.
"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," Amanda's sister, Stephanie Kercher told reporters at a news conference in Perugia, Italy.
"That's the biggest disappointment, not knowing still and knowing that there is someone or people out there who have done this," Kercher added.
Melanie Kercher was killed during a drug-influenced sex game that went awry. Knox’s 26-year jail sentence for the 2007 murder was overturned by a jury of six, along with two judges.
Kercher’s body was found in the apartment the two women shared covered with over 40 knife wounds and her throat slit.
Knox, her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, and Ivory Coast drifter Rudy Guede, were previously convicted in the 2009 murder.
It was DNA evidence that thwarted the Italian prosecution during Knox's appeals trial. Defense attorneys had argued that traces of DNA samples found on a kitchen knife and Kercher’s bra clasp were not properly processed.