Decision due on new evidence tests in Kercher trial

Defence lawyers in the Meredith Kercher murder trial said today the court is deciding on their requests for new tests on evidence, including a knife prosecutors say could be the murder weapon.

American student Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito have denied killing Knox’s British roommate, Meredith Kercher, in 2007 while the defendants were studying in the university town of Perugia

Attorney Luca Maori said the court was expected to rule on the requests later this evening. Witness testimony ended last month.

Prosecutors say Miss Kercher was killed during a sex game and allege Knox stabbed her in the throat. The defence contends DNA on the knife could be contaminated.

It could be weeks before deliberations for a verdict begin.

The court later turned down the defence requests for new tests.

One of Knox’s attorneys, Luciano Ghirga, said the court then set the next session for November 20, when prosecutors will begin final arguments, scheduled to last two days.

Ghirga didn’t comment on the court’s refusal, but another lawyer, Francesco Maresca, who is representing Kercher’s family, said the court ruled there was no need for more tests.