🗓️ Amanda Knox Case Timeline: Trials, Convictions, and Acquittals

 

The Amanda Knox case captured the world’s attention, but the story didn’t end with the initial investigation. In this post, we’re diving into the full timeline and legal saga that followed Meredith Kercher’s murder.

 

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Just Tuning In?

If you’re just joining us, here’s a quick recap of our in-depth coverage of the Amanda Knox murder case. We’ve explored Amanda Knox: Background, detailing her life in Italy, the events leading up to Meredith Kercher’s murder, and the circumstances that brought her into the international spotlight. We’ve examined Amanda Knox: Key Witnesses and Suspects, breaking down the people involved, potential motives, and critical figures in the investigation. Finally, we’ve analyzed Amanda Knox: Theories and Evidence, including DNA findings, forensic analysis, controversial claims, and the twists that made this one of the most debated criminal cases in recent history.

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2007: Arrest and Initial Conviction

November 6, 2007: Amanda Knox, along with Raffaele Sollecito and Patrick Lumumba, were arrested in connection with the murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy.

 

November 20, 2007. Rudy Guede's fingerprints are identified at the crime scene, leading to his arrest in Germany.

 

December 4, 2009: Knox and Sollecito were convicted of murder, sexual assault, and slander. Knox received a 26-year prison sentence, while Sollecito was sentenced to 25 years.

2008: Guede Conviction & sentencing

October 28, 2008 Rude Guede is sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder and sexual assault of Meredith Kercher.

 

2009: Guede Appeal and Sentencing

December 22, 2009 An appeals court reduces Guede's sentence to 16 years. The Italian appeals court cut his sentence from 30 to 16 years after re-examining the case. The judges acknowledged his role in the crime but considered that he was tried under a fast-track trial procedure (shorter process in exchange for a lighter sentence if convicted). The court recognized some mitigating circumstances, including the fact that he was not the one who planned the murder, but rather was considered to have participated. He was found guilty of sexual assault and his involvement in the killing, but the court determined he did not act alone and was not the mastermind. With Italy’s system of parole and early release for good behavior, he was released in 2021, after serving 13 years.  Essentially, the reduction wasn’t because he was found “less guilty,” but because the fast-track trial option automatically lowered potential sentencing, and the appeals court applied that along with mitigating factors.

2011: Knox First Appeal and Release

October 3, 2011: Italy's Court of Appeals overturned the convictions of Knox and Sollecito, citing unreliable DNA evidence. They were released from prison after serving approximately four years.

March 26, 2013: Italy’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, annulled the 2011 acquittals, citing procedural errors, and ordered a retrial.

2014: Second Conviction

January 30, 2014: The Florence appeals court convicted Knox and Sollecito again. Knox was sentenced to 28½ years, and Sollecito received a 25-year sentence. The court once again found her guilty of the murder of Meredith Kercher and this time increased her sentence from the original 26 years to 28 and a half years. The judges explained that the harsher sentence reflected what they saw as aggravating factors, including the brutality of the crime and the seriousness of her alleged role in it. They argued that the murder was not a spontaneous act, but rather the outcome of an escalating situation involving multiple people, which justified a stiffer penalty. However, this ruling did not stand for long.

2015: Final Acquittal

March 27, 2015: Italy’s Supreme Court definitively acquitted Knox and Sollecito, citing "glaring errors" and "sensational investigative failures." The court emphasized that there was no evidence linking them to the murder.

2016: Defamation Case

January 14, 2016: Knox was acquitted of defamation charges related to claims of police mistreatment during her initial interrogation. 

 

2021: Guede Released 

November 24, 2021 Guede is released from prison after serving 13 years

2023: Guede Continued Legal Trouble

Guede's former girlfriend files a complaint for physical abuse, leading to a restraining order and special surveillance measures.

2024: Defamation Conviction

June 5, 2024: Amanda Knox’s defamation charge came from naming her boss, Patrick Lumumba, during a late-night police interrogation in 2007. Police arrested him based on her statement, but he was quickly cleared with an alibi. Italian courts ruled that Knox had knowingly accused an innocent man, which led to a separate conviction for calunnia (criminal defamation). She served a three-year sentence for it — time that was essentially covered by her pre-trial detention — and it remains the one conviction on her record.

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Amanda Knox, Raffaele Sollecito, and Rudy Guede: Where Are They Now After the Meredith Kercher Murder Case?

 

🕵️♀️ Amanda Knox

Where She Is Now:
Amanda Knox resides in Washington State with her husband, Christopher Robinson, and their two children. 

Current Activities:
Knox has transitioned into a multifaceted career, engaging in various media and advocacy endeavors:

Media Projects: She serves as an executive producer and writer for the Hulu series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, which premiered in August 2025. The series offers a dramatized retelling of her wrongful conviction and subsequent exoneration. She has a podcast series called Hard Knox with Amanda Knox with over 200 episodes. It helps listeners explore the wisdom that carries us through our most difficult experiences, allowing us to heal, find happiness, and build a life filled with purpose and strength.

Public Speaking and Advocacy: Knox is actively involved in criminal justice reform, frequently speaking at events and participating in discussions about wrongful convictions and media representation.

Writing: She has authored two memoirs, with her latest, Free: My Search for Meaning, released in 2025.

Impact of the Case:
The case profoundly affected Knox's life, subjecting her to intense media scrutiny and a lengthy legal battle. Despite the challenges, she has emerged as a vocal advocate for justice reform and personal resilience.

 

🧑💻 Raffaele Sollecito

Where He Is Now: Raffaele Sollecito lives in Milan, Italy. 

Current Activities: After completing his engineering degree during his time in prison, Sollecito has built a career in technology.

Professional Work: He works as a software engineer specializing in cloud and hybrid architectures.

Impact of the Case:
The legal ordeal disrupted Sollecito's education and career trajectory. However, he has since rebuilt his professional life, focusing on his work in the tech industry.

 

👨⚖️ Rudy Guede

Where He Is Now: Rudy Guede was released from prison in 2021 after serving 13 years for the murder of Meredith Kercher.

Current Activities: Guede's post-incarceration life has been marked by legal issues:

Legal Troubles: In 2025, he faced trial for the alleged sexual assault and mistreatment of a former girlfriend.

Impact of the Case:
Guede's conviction for Kercher's murder remains a significant part of his identity. His post-prison life has been overshadowed by continued legal challenges.

 

🕊️ Meredith Kercher's Family

Where They Are Now: Meredith Kercher's family continues to reside in the United Kingdom.

Current Activities: The family has maintained a relatively low public profile but has been involved in discussions regarding the media portrayal of the case:

Public Statements: In 2024, Meredith's sister, Stephanie Kercher, expressed concerns over the portrayal of the case in the media, particularly regarding projects co-produced by Amanda Knox.

Impact of the Case: The murder of Meredith Kercher has left an indelible mark on her family, who continue to seek justice and preserve her memory amidst the ongoing public discourse.

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Ready for a crime that won’t take a decade or two to solve?

You’ve followed every twist, every appeal, every shocking reversal in the Amanda Knox case. After years of trials and international headlines, we’ve finally reached the end of this chapter. But as every good detective knows… closing one file only means another mystery is waiting to be opened.

Before we dive into the next investigation, try Murder at Mount Carlson — an immersive murder mystery where you’ll sift through clues, interrogate suspects, and piece together the story to catch the killer. [Order your game here →]

 

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A Quiet Town, A Shocking Crime: The Next Mystery Is Coming

Stay sharp, sleuths. A chilling new case is about to land on your desk—and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.  A quiet community, an ordinary day, and two young lives changed everything. What unfolded afterward wasn’t just a crime—it became a mystery that gripped the nation, tangled with rumors, online speculation, and years of painstaking investigation. Even now, whispers of justice and doubt continue to collide, making this story one that refuses to fade into the background.