GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The murder convictions of American Amanda Knox and her one-time boyfriend, Italian Raffaele Sollecito, could be overturned by a court in Perugia in central Italy Monday 3 October, but the prosecution says it will appeal if the earlier verdict is quashed, and that life sentences will be demanded.

The case of the murder of British university student Meredith Kercher in Perugia in a drug-fueled sexual assault, as the lower court described it, has held the attention of world media for the past four years, since the couple was arrested shortly after the 2 November 2007 murder. Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison and Sollecito to 25 years. Knox in particular has provoked deeply divided views of her role.

Links to other sites: CBC, Canada, Seattle PI, Daily Telegraph, UK

Geneva, Switzerland (TSR, Fre) – The trial of Cécile Brossard for the murder of Edouard Stern draws to a close today 17 June. The jury of 12 is sequestered and its judgement is expected by the end of the day. They must decide if the murder, to which Brossard has admitted, was simple homicide or a crime of passion with attenuating circumstances. A conviction for homicide could carry up to 20 years in prison for the 40-year-old.

Background: Edouard Stern’s murder, GenevaLunch in partnership with l’Hebdo, 9 June 2009