Amanda Knox: A timeline of the Meredith Kercher murder case

Nov. 1, 2007 — 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher is found dead in the bedroom of the apartment in Perugia, Italy, that she shared with 20-year-old University of Washington student Amanda Knox. The cause of death is a stab wound to the neck. A postmortem exam of Kercher's body reveals evidence of sexual activity before her death. Police allege that Kercher was killed while fending off a sexual assault.

Nov 6, 2007 — Knox, her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, 23, and nightclub owner Diya Lumumba, 44, are arrested by Italian police. All three say they are innocent. Under interrogation, Knox gives conflicting statements, at first saying she was not at home when the murder occurred, and later stating she was in her room covering her ears to drown out Kercher's screams.

Nov 9, 2007 — An Italian court rules that Knox, Sollecito and Lumumba can remain in jail for up to one year during the investigation.

Nov 15, 2007 — Investigators say that both Knox's and Kercher's DNA is found on the knife they believe to possibly be the murder weapon.

Nov 20, 2007 — A fourth suspect, an Italian citizen originally from the Ivory Coast, Rudy Guede, 21, is apprehended in Germany. Police say Guede's bloody fingerprints had been found at the crime scene. Meanwhile, Lumumba is released from custody due to a lack of evidence, although at one point Knox had accused him of the murder.

Nov 22, 2007 — Guede admits he was in the victim's room the night she was killed, but maintains his innocence.

Nov 27, 2007 — Investigators say a drop of Knox's blood was found in the bathroom of her apartment, which had otherwise been cleaned. The blood places Knox at the crime scene.

Dec 17, 2007 — Knox is questioned for six hours by Italian prosecutors and continues to maintain her innocence.

Jan 10, 2008 — Police report that Sollecito's DNA had been found on Kercher's bra. The police also found traces of Guede's DNA in the apartment, meaning that all three suspects now apparently have DNA evidence placing them at the scene of the crime.

Jan 31, 2008 — Police reveal the presence of "mystery" DNA, not belonging to any of the three suspects, is found on Kercher's bra.

March 6, 2008 — A coroner's report on the murder of Kercher is released, stating it cannot be determined whether the victim was raped before her death.

April 1, 2008 — A court rejects requests for release of Knox, Sollecito and Guede. All three are ordered to remain in jail until they are either charged or released.

Sept. 16, 2008 — In the first of a series of three pretrial hearings, the three suspects appear before a judge, who approves a request to fast-track Guede's trial.

Oct. 28, 2008 — Judge Paolo Micheli convicts Guede of murder and sexual assault, and sentences him to 30 years. Guede appeals. Micheli also orders Knox and Sollecito to stand trial on charges of murder and sexual assault.

Jan. 16, 2009 — Trial of Knox and Sollecito opens in Perugia before presiding Judge Giancarlo Massei.

June 6 — The family of Meredith Kercher testifies before the court.

June 12 — Knox testifies that she was not at home when Kercher was killed and that the police beat her into making a false statement.

Nov. 18 — Guede's appeals trial opens, and he testifies that he heard Kercher and Knox arguing minutes before the murder.

Nov. 21 — After Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini asks for life sentences for Knox and Sollecito, Knox addresses the court, calling the accusations against her "pure fantasy."

Dec. 4 — Eight-member jury finds Knox and Sollecito guilty, sentencing them to 26 and 25 years, respectively.