THE thought of Amanda Knox killing someone in a moment of anger is “absurd and unrealistic”, the American student’s former lover Raffaele Sollecito has said.

Anxious Italian politicians today tried to quash suggestions of an escalating diplomatic rift with the US over the conviction of Amanda Knox for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher.

The family of murdered British student Meredith Kercher today described their anguish at the loss of their beloved “Mez” as a “life sentence”.

Meredith Kercher murder suspects Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito arrived in court today for the final hearing in their trial before the jury retires to deliberate its verdict.

If Amanda Knox is convicted of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher, her family will not give up their battle to free her, her mother said today.

Prosecutors are expected to request life in prison for an American student and her former boyfriend accused of killing a young British woman in Italy.

RUDY GUEDE was last night found guilty of killing British student Meredith Kercher, while former lovers American Amanda Knox and Italian Raffaele Sollecito will stand trial for the murder.

Rudy Guede was tonight found guilty of killing Meredith Kercher, while former lovers American Amanda Knox and Italian Raffaele Sollecito will stand trial for the murder.