Amanda Knox's former lover threw doubt on her alibi for murder on Tuesday, saying a court ruling that found the pair guilty of killing a British student proved they were not together at the time of the crime.
Raffaele Sollecito unveiled his new defence strategy as the pair prepare to appeal their convictions for the bloody murder of Knox's former roommate Meredith Kercher, found with her throat slit in the Italian university town of Perugia in 2007.
The couple have been each other's alibis almost from the start, insisting they spent the night together at his house -- though they have admitted to smoking marijuana and being unable to recall everything they had done.
The 30-year-old Sollecito said he had "always believed, and still believe, that Amanda Marie Knox is innocent."
But he said the guilty verdict handed down by an appeal court in Florence this year was based on details which exonerate him -- while leaving doubts about her movements.
"The 25-year prison sentence given to me is based entirely on the statement written by Amanda Knox in pre-trial detention. She herself exonerates me entirely," he told a press conference in Rome.
In the text, the US citizen described "flashes of blurred images" in which she saw herself in the house while the murder was being committed, "with my hands over my ears because in my head I could hear Meredith screaming".
She makes no mention of Sollecito, which his defence invokes as proof he was not present at the scene.
Knox later recanted this version of events, saying she had written it under police pressure.
"Taking it as read that the judges are right (in basing their verdict on the statement) will you please explain what I have to do with it?" Sollecito said.
Shock about-turn
Sollecito's lawyer Giulia Bongiorno said their appeal would also revolve around a text message which Knox claims to have sent while with Sollecito at his house the night of the murder.
"This text message, according to the court's own ruling, was not sent from his house. Therefore the pair were not together," she said.
Sollecito is relying on the log from his home computer to prove he was home at the time of the killing.
While the Italian always claimed Knox "spent the night" with him, he never said they spent the evening together -- which is when the crime took place, Bongiorno said.
Asked where Knox may have been in those missing hours, Sollecito said he was concentrating only on defending himself and could not vouch for her whereabouts.
Kercher was found in a pool of blood in November 2007, half-naked and with her throat slashed. She had been stabbed 47 times.
Knox and Sollecito -- originally sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison for the murder -- were acquitted on appeal in 2011 after four years behind bars, but then found guilty again in a shock about-turn by a Florence court in January.
The court said there was DNA proof that three people were at the murder scene: Knox, Sollecito and a third person, Ivory Coast-born drifter Rudy Guede, who is the only person still in prison for the crime.
Both Sollecito and Knox have argued the crime scene was contaminated and any DNA collected was therefore not viable.
The trial will next year go back to Italy's highest court, which could uphold the verdict or order a retrial.
If the verdict is upheld, officials are expected to begin a lengthy battle to extradite the 27-year-old Knox from the United States, where she returned on her release from prison in 2011.
AFP
Tue Jul 01 2014
![SOLLECITO: always believed, and still believe, that Amanda Marie Knox is innocent. - AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE SOLLECITO: always believed, and still believe, that Amanda Marie Knox is innocent. - AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-07/81404226805_295x200.jpg)
SOLLECITO: "always believed, and still believe, that Amanda Marie Knox is innocent." - AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE
![Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia? Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51729223855_Prabowo.jpg)
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
![Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance' Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51729319634_alikhamenei.jpg)
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
![Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/81729317767_VladimirPutin.jpg)
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
![What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit? What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/81729156658_VladimirPutin.jpg)
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
![Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/81729158703_tbPrabowoSubianto.jpg)
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
![Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21 Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/71729156390_tblogoAwaniInterna.jpg)
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
![Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/81729307245_jabalia.jpg)
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
![Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/61729230134_TBLIAMPAYNE.jpg)
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
![Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/41707474512_TBSriMulyaniIndraw.jpg)
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
![Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/71729155079_tbJoeBiden.jpg)
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
![Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81717643773_VladimirPutin.jpg)
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
![ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025 ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41722498099_KualaLumpur.jpg)
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
![Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/61729239367_TBBelanjawan.jpg)
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
![Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/71729246938_TBANWARBAJET.jpg)
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
![What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/51725723326_PrabowoSubianto.jpg)
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
![Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/81577181583_tbIKS.jpg)
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
![Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/71729030072_TBisrael.jpg)
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
![Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81713954437_TBPrabowoSubianto.jpg)
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
![Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/71726749193_jitrabanjir.jpg)
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
![Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/81729242256_TBANWARBAJET.jpg)
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.