Kercher: Former boyfriend haunted by death

A FORMER boyfriend of Meredith Kercher said he would be “forever haunted” by her violent death.

Patrick Cronin, 24, who now lives in Australia, told The People he had enjoyed a “loving, special” relationship with the Leeds University student after meeting her in a nightclub in Kingston, south-west London, in 2005. He said Kercher had spoken of her plans to study in Italy and after the romance ended the pair remained in touch.

He said: “She was a kind, loving person who was a friend to everyone she met. She did not deserve to die like that and (Amanda) Knox is damned for what she did.

“I can never stop thinking of the terror she must have felt in that final hour. It is something that will forever haunt me.”

Knox, of Seattle, was sentenced to 26 years in prison after a year-long trial. Her family plans to appeal.

A US senator said anti-Americanism may have tainted the trial.

Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington state, said she plans to bring her own concerns – including whether “anti-Americanism” tainted the trial – to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.