Murder, Mystery; Accused, Acquitted.

Yesterday Amanda Knox walked free of the controversial murder of a British student in Italy.

Four years ago, Leeds University student Meredith Kercher was found dead in her shared student flat in in Perugia, Italy, where she had been undertaking part of her course abroad. In the interim, various people have been brought before legal systems in the European state and each has been appealed amidst a growing media frenzy that now has a question mark poised above the case.

Acquitted after serving a number of years in jail, where it is rumoured that she was badly beaten and abused by both police and fellow inmates, Knox was yesterday delivered exoneration.

Addressing the gathered jurors and officiators before the verdict was heard, Knox pleaded that she was “not who they say I am” and that a combination of corrupt police evidence and media furore had painted an unfair image on her character. Also on trial, ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito added that the ordeal was a “nightmare” from which he had never woken.

Court officials were put beyond reasonable doubt when the case was reviewed this year as the evidence that had been gathered for original sentencing was said to have a number of flaws.

Contamination claims were treated with severity and the courts requested further DNA tests to be undertaken after it was agreed that the original conditions fell short of international standards. Rumours included that the police had not adhered to protocol in reviewing the evidence.

Key in the case, a kitchen knife that had been put forward as having had Knox’s DNA on the handle, Kercher’s on the blade. In addition, the accused’s genes were found on the victim’s bra.

Enormous pressure has of course fallen on both defending and accusing parties over the course of the action. Statements from examining officials claim that a number of Knox’s statements in court go against those she gave in original writing. Meanwhile, the rebuttal argument stands that the police treatment and stress of a friend dying caused any discrepancy to occur.

Indeed, so much has the argument of foul-play been brought into the courtroom that earlier in the year, Knox’s own parents were summoned to an Italian court for vilifying the police.

Now as the pardoning comes as a relief to the “broken” jailed, it advocates a serious need for further regulations and review.

Sex game or murder? The case needs further scrutiny for sure.

Meredith Kercher was found by police with her throat slashed. However, initial investigations also revealed that there was proof of sexual activity before her death. Whilst the nature of the death remains a mystery then, there is an obvious need for prudence.

Should there have been any carnal relations, the very nature of evidence found on items such as the deceased’s bra is instantly rendered rather dubious. Moreover, although the knife in question may indeed have been the murder weapon per se, student is as student does. Ergo, the genetic evidence on the handle could easily be a case of poor, or complete lack thereof, cleaning utensils after usage.

In addition, should the act have been perpetrated in the midst of erotic activity, surely the idea of murder in the first degree pushes lawful boundaries? For instance, there is a lack of mens rea: stating that a vicious crime needs a vicious will. Concordantly, the Italian justice system should have only been in the process of manslaughter charges at the most. Murder undermines both the system and nature of the case.

Although two people walk free today, another, Rudy Guede, is still serving time for the crime. We must question how many were involved in the killing of a self-sufficient and innocent English student. It does not seem logical that so many should want her dead.

Evidence being inconclusive and logic failing the circumstances, there can be no alternative but to grant freedom to Knox under current conditions. In fact, as the judge ruled that there was "no evidence of Knox having ever committed murder", there should be some compensation in the offing to appease what is a life ruined: Knox graduates prison without a degree, without friends, and without imminent prospects.

Grieving relatives may still have to trawl through the agonising details; the broken accused has to rebuild from painstaking experiences.