Amanda Knox asked a Florence court on
Wednesday to acquit her of charges of calumny for fingering
former bar owner Patrick Lumumba in relation to the 2007 murder
of her flat-mate Meredith Kercher in Perugia.
She said he only mentioned his name because of the pressure she
was under while her defence rights were being violated during
the initial investigation.
"I never wanted to calumny Patrick," Knox told the court.
"He was my friend, he took care of me and consoled me for the
loss of my friend (Kercher - ed.).
"I'm sorry that I couldn't resist the pressure and that he
suffered.
"I humbly ask to declare myself innocent," she concluded.
She described herself at the time as "frightened and deceived"
20-year-old.
(see related).
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