48 Hours

American Girl, Italian Murder: The Verdict

December 4, 2009 / 6:54 PM EST / CBS

The Perugia murder trial of American student Amanda Knox has come to an end, Knox has been found guilty on all counts. On Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10 p.m., CBS News will broadcast a "48 Hours Mystery," "American Girl, Italian Murder: The Verdict," reported by correspondent Peter Van Sant, examining the case - from the crime to the conclusion.

Knox was on trial for the Nov. 2007 murder of her roommate, British student Meredith Kercher, who was found in her bedroom, semi-naked with her throat slashed. Within days, Knox, who was enrolled for six months of study at the University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italy, became a suspect in what prosecutor Giuliano Mignini described as a drug-induced sex orgy gone wrong.

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48 Hours: American Girl, Italian Nightmare
48 Hours Exclusive: Knox Statement

After a 14-hour police interrogation, Knox told authorities that she and a local bar owner went to the apartment that night and the bar owner had sex with Kercher then murdered her. Her story later proved untrue. She claimed in court that she made the false confession out of fear after Italian authorities threatened her and even got physical with her.

Knox's story has spread around the world. And while Meredith Kercher's death was a violent tragedy, skepticism has surrounded the case against Amanda Knox, the conclusion of which will likely continue to spark debate about what really happened.

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