Trial in British coed's murder resumes

PERUGIA, Italy, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Jurors in Italy have been permitted to examine a weapon prosecutors said U.S. student Amanda Knox used in the slaying of another student, court officials said.

The trial of Knox and co-defendant Raffaele Scotecito resumed Saturday in Perugia after a summer hiatus. The two are accused of killing fellow student Meredith Kercher, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.

Kercher roomed with Knox and prosecutors say she was killed by her roommate and Knox's former boyfriend, Scotecito. Knox is from West Seattle. Kercher is from Leeds. Both have pleaded not guilty.

A third suspect, Rudy Guede, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the slaying. His appeal is set for Nov. 18.

The defense claims the knife was mishandled and contaminated by Perugia police and that Knox's blood alcohol test was contaminated or handled improperly.