A timeline of the Amanda Knox case

As the appeals trial of Amanda Knox nears its conclusion, "48 Hours Mystery" correspondent Peter Van Sant took a look back at the key points of the case on "The Early Show."

Complete coverage: The appeal trial of Amanda Knox
Amanda Knox: "I am innocent"

It was September 2007 when 20-year-old Seattle native Amanda Knox traveled to Perugia, Italy - a city known for welcoming foreigners.

On November 2, the body of Knox's British roommate, 21-year-old Meredith Kercher, is discovered behind a locked door. Her throat was slashed.

Images of Knox with her boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, taken just outside the murder scene - and the next day at a lingerie store - were used to define and condemn her.

During 50 hours of questioning over four days, including an all-night interrogation involving 36 officers, Knox finally implicated herself, signing a statement saying she was in the house when her boss, local bar owner Patrick Lumumba, killed Meredith Kercher. Knox, Sollecito and Lumumba were all arrested.

When prosecutor Giuliano Mignini first theorized that Kercher had been murdered in a ritualistic, satanic sex orgy, the tabloid press in Italy and Great Britain went into overdrive. Damning photographs of Knox and Sollecito are discovered on the internet, spun to suggest a fascination with violence. Then there was Knox's MySpace nickname, "Foxy Knoxy," which authorities claimed was proof of her promiscuity.

After Patrick Lumumba is released - he had an airtight alibi - an international manhunt leads to the arrest of Rudy Guede, a local hanger-on who once confronted a man with a knife. Guede's fingerprint and DNA were found in Kercher's room. He is tried first and convicted of murder in 2008.

In January 2009, on the eve of her trial for murder and sexual assault, Knox is oddly voted woman of the year by Italian television.

Italians are outraged when Knox appears in court smiling and wearing in an "All You Need Is Love" T-shirt on Valentine's Day. DNA evidence is presented that the prosecution claims proves Knox is a killer. She and Sollecito are convicted of murder. Knox is sentenced to 26 years in prison.

This past summer, during her appeal trial, a scientific panel appointed by the court finds that the DNA used to convict Knox is unreliable. Key witnesses, including a homeless heroin addict, are discredited.

Later Monday, after four years, Knox - a woman portrayed as a "she-devil," will learn her fate.

Van Sant adds that if Knox is found not guilty, her family has told CBS News, she will be taken out of Italy as quickly as possible. However, Van Sant says, exactly how she could exit the country is a well-kept secret.

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kbbles says:: Justice has been done, but I'm wondering if she can sue or collect on "unlawful" imprisonment? I have seen many in America who were sentenced in prison and then acquitted and were able to collect on the state, city or goverments wrong doings.; reply