Amanda Knox appeal adjourned

American student Amanda Knox appeared breifly in a Perugia courtroom to appeal against her convictions for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher. The trial was immediately adjourned to December 11, with two more hearings set on December 18 and January 15.

Knox, whose trial created a global media sensation, was sentenced to 26 years in prison in December 2009 for her part in the murder of Kercher, after what judges said was a frenzied sex game that spiralled out of control.

Her former lover, Raffaelo Sollecito and another man, Rudy Guede, were also convicted for their role in the murder.

Knox's lawyers hope they can use new evidence to clear her of the murder and will try to introduce new witnesses during the appeal.

Along with Sollecito's legal team, they are also seeking a full review of the forensic evidence, including disputed traces of DNA found on a knife allegedly used in the killing, and on the clasp of Miss Kercher's bra.

The defence maintains that the DNA evidence was inconclusive and has also argued it may have been contaminated when analysed.

Kercher's partly unclothed body was found in November 2007, locked in her blood-spattered bedroom in the house she shared with Knox and two other students in Italy's university town of Perugia.

Guede, convicted in a fast-track trial in 2008, had his sentence almost halved to 16 years in December after his defence pleaded a troubled family history and no prior criminal record.

Guede, whose DNA was found on Kercher, also says he is innocent.

Knox's conviction sparked outrage in the United States and her family strongly condemned Italy's judicial system.

Prosecutors said small traces of DNA matching Kercher's were found on the blade of a knife, washed with bleach, at Sollecito's home. The defence said the knife did not match Kercher's wounds and questioned the DNA evidence.