Sentence cut for 1 of 3 Kercher killers

PERUGIA, Italy, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- An appellate court in Italy has cut the prison sentence for Rudy Guede, one of three convicted of killing British coed Meredith Kercher, from 30 years to 16.

The Perugia Appeals Court ruled extenuating circumstances allowed for the reduced sentence for the 23-year-old Ivory Coast citizen, the Italian news agency AGI reported Tuesday.

Guede was tried separately from co-defendants Amanda Knox of the United States and Raffaele Sollecito of Italy.

Knox, 22, and Sollecito, 25, who had been romantically involved, are appealing their sentences, as well. Knox was given a 26-year prison term and Sollecito 25 years.

The trio were convicted in the 2007 sex-game and torture slaying of Kercher in Perugia.