'Confession' In Cut Throat Student Killing

An American student arrested in connection with the death of British student Meredith Kercher in Italy has reportedly confessed to her role in the killing.

Amanda Knox, 20, was one of three people arrested earlier on Tuesday, along with 24-year-old Italian Raffaele Sollecito, believed to be her boyfriend and 37-year-old Congolese national Patrick Diya Lumamba.

According to reports, Ms Knox, who was Miss Kercher's roommate, is said to have told police that all three had tried to overpower Miss Kercher sexually, but she resisted.

All three are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit manslaughter and conspiracy to commit sexual violence.

Miss Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon in Surrey, was found in the bedroom of her apartment in Perugia on Friday. Her throat had been cut.

Arturo De Felice, Perugia's police chief, told a news conference that the British student had died while fighting off a sexual attack. He said that she was a "victim and nothing more".

Earlier, investigating magistrate Nicola Miriano told reporters that the student's death had been caused by "a violent action by an unidentified person or persons".

Medical examiner Luca Lalli said that there was evidence that sexual activity had taken place before Meredith died, but did not confirm suggestions that she had been raped. However, he did confirm that there were bruises and lesions on her body, which were consistent with involvement in a struggle.

Miss Kercher attended at least one Halloween party on Wednesday night.

It has been reported that fingerprints were found on two mobile phones belonging to Miss Kercher and the same fingerprints are also reported to have been found in her bloodstained bedroom and on the front-door handle of the house where she was living.

Fingerprint checks are being carried out on two mobile phones belonging to Meredith. One was found abandoned in the garden of an elderly woman, who handed it in to police.

Miss Kercher's father, John Kercher, told 'The Daily Telegraph' that he had found it "very difficult" to deal with the circumstances surrounding her death.

He said: "Meredith was just not that sort of person. She would never have got involved in anything like that."

A candlelit vigil was held in Meredith's memory at Perugia's cathedral on Monday night.

(KMcA)