Judge’s verdict gives Knox hope of a reduced sentence

The judge who found American student Amanda Knox guilty of the murder of her British flatmate Meredith Kercher has defended his verdict saying the much-criticised evidence was "without holes or inconsistencies".

However, in revealing that he saw no trace of animosity or premeditation in the crime, Judge Giancarlo Massei has raised hopes that Knox could see her 26-year sentence reduced on appeal.

Knox and her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty of the murder of Kercher in a sex game that went wrong. During her trial last year, Americans felt that Knox was demonised by the Italian press, who seized on her nickname 'Foxy Knoxy' and her perceived lack of emotion following the murder to paint a picture of a calculated killer who wanted to punish her "prissy" flatmate. The prosecution claimed Kercher complained about Knox's colourful sex-life and poor hygiene - and suggested the American had stolen money from her.

Judge Massei paints a quite different picture of the murder in his 427-page explanation. The killing, he writes, occurred due to a combination of purely random circumstances. It happened "without any planning, without any animosity or feeling of resentment against the victim, that in any way could be seen as a preparation-predisposition for the crime.

"The behaviour toward Meredith after the violence and the murder, covering up her lifeless body, shows a feeling of pity towards the victim."

But it is not all good news for Knox. The judge's insistence that the evidence was "without holes" is a blow to the American, who is appealing against her sentence on the grounds that the forensic evidence was flawed.

Her view is backed up by forensic scientists in the United States who question the significance of DNA found on the kitchen knife that is supposed to have been used on Kercher - and even if the correct murder weapon has been found.

The judge's account of Knox's "pity" towards the victim gives Knox's lawyers another angle of attack during the appeal process - and there is even the suggestion she could have her conviction reduced to manslaughter. Her lawyers will also hope a deal can be struck allowing her to serve the rest of a reduced sentence in the United States.

Knox can at least count on the moral - and possibly financial help - of Donald Trump. The publication of the judge's opinion comes two days after the billionaire called for Americans to boycott Italy until Knox is released. In an interview with KOMO-TV, a television station in Knox's native Seattle, Trump was vociferous in his protestations of her innocence.

"This is a miscarriage of justice," he said. "I think the president should absolutely get involved, and I think people should boycott Italy... This is not a close call that she may be guilty. She's not guilty!"

Asked how he could be so sure of Knox's innocence, Trump said: "There's no evidence that links her to this crime, other than she said some stupid things after being tormented for hours and hours and hours... Even the prisoners think she's innocent."

And Trump seems willing to put his money where his mouth is: "I like helping people," he said. "And I see someone who can't defend herself. I see her parents who seem like wonderful people. They don't have a lot of money, and the lawyers are getting nowhere." ·