PERUGIA, Italy — Some DNA evidence used to convict US student Amanda Knox of murder was “unreliable” and possibly contaminated, according to new reports.
In a report ordered by the appeal judge, two independent forensic experts disputed part of the evidence used to convict Knox and co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito, Knox’s ex-boyfriend, of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher, TG24 reported Wednesday, citing a leaked court review.
The original case was told Knox’s DNA was found on the knife believed to be the murder weapon and traces of Kercher’s DNA were found on the blade.
But the report, originally due to be made public Thursday, found the genetic profile attributed to Kercher is “unreliable” and results may have been contaminated.
The report also suggested that traces of Sollecito’s DNA found on the clasp of Kercher’s bra strap could have come from atmospheric contamination and pointed to mistakes in the tests.
“The international procedures for inspection, protocol and collection of evidence were not followed” for both the bra clasp and the knife, the forensic experts said.
The 23-year-old Knox is serving 26 years for the crime, while Sollecito was sentenced to 25 years. Both deny involvement in the 2007 killing of Kercher.
A third person, Rudy Guede, was also convicted of Kercher’s murder and of sexually assaulting the British student. He testified Monday that Knox and Sollecito were to blame for Kercher’s murder.
Guede has admitted to being present at the time of the killing, however he denies murder.
Prosecutors said Kercher was killed by Knox, Sollecito and Guede as part of a drug-fueled sexual assault. Her body was found in a pool of blood in the house in Perugia which she shared with Knox.