American student Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito have been sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison in for the bloody murder of Meredith Kercher.

Already behind bars for two years, the Crown sought life imprisonment for the American and Italian, who deny having participated in the killing of Ms. Knox’s roommate in November 2007.

Meredith Kercher, a British student of 21 years, was found semi-naked in an apartment in Perugia, throat cut by a knife. The murder weapon was discovered at the home of Sollecito and bore traces of Knox’s DNA.

Amanda and Raffaele had given a fatal stab wound to Meredith while a third defendant, Ivorian of 20 years, held her arms because she refused to engage in sexual games when they were under the influence alcohol and drugs.

While pleading his innocence, Rudy Guede chose a fast track after which he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The case was appealed.

“We are extremely disappointed in the verdict rendered today against our daughter,” Knox’s family said in a statement.

“While we always knew this was a possibility, we find it difficult to accept this verdict when we know that she is innocent, and that the prosecution has failed to explain why there is no evidence of Amanda in the room where Meredith was so horribly and tragically murdered.

“It appears clear to us that the attacks on Amanda’s character in much of the media and by the prosecution had a significant impact on the judges and jurors and apparently overshadowed the lack of evidence in the prosecution’s case against her.”

Amanda Knox Found Guilty, Plans Appeal