Recently set free after spending four years in an Italian jail, Amanda Knox, 24, spoke at a news conference Tuesday evening after arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, one day after an Italian appeals court cleared her of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito also had his conviction overturned.

Still visibly emotional, Knox spoke to throngs of supporters and international journalists. “I’m really overwhelmed right now,” she said. “I was looking down from the airplane and it seemed like everything wasn't real.”

Knox emphasized that she was most grateful for the support of her family, who advocated for her ever since she was implicated in Kercher's brutal murder. “What’s important for me to say is just thank you to everyone who’s believed in me, who’s defended me and who’s supported my family," she said. "My family is the most important thing to me right now, and I just want to go be with them. So, thank you for being there for me.”

Knox will be spending some time reconnecting with her family and friends and may decide to re-enroll at the University of Washington, her father Curt Knox told reporters.

Kercher’s family, meanwhile, is disappointed that Knox's conviction was overturned. Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini said the verdicts would be appealed and that the mysterious murder would continue to be investigated.

Leave a comment

Read more about: