Amanda Knox Says Her Murder Trial Was 'Correct'

PERUGIA, Italy Dec. 9, 2009— -- Amanda Knox has told an Italian member of Parliament that she had expected to be home for Christmas, but despite the crushing disappointment of being convicted of murder said her trial was "correct" and that she still has faith in Italian courts.

Knox made her comments to Walter Verini, a Parliamentarian representing the region of Umbria where Knox is jailed, four days after a jury found her guilty of murdering British roommate Meredith Kercher on Nov. 1, 2007.

The midnight verdict last Friday and 26 year prison sentence left Knox crying "No, no, no" as she was taken from the courtroom, and triggered criticism by her family and American commentators. Some claimed that the Italian court has been influenced by anti-Americanism and tabloid press coverage of the trial.

Knox, 22, was dressed in a track suit and reading in her cell, Verini said, when he came around with staff from the Capanne prison just outside Perugia. She was very cordial to him, and gave the impression of being "apparently calm," Verini said.

"I thought I would be home for Christmas," Knox told Verini. "But instead I have to wait."

Knox told Verini she could not wait to be free, but would put her trust in her lawyers' appeal and in the Italian legal system.

She was convicted along with her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 25, who as sentenced to 25 years in prison. A third person, Ivory Coast native Rudy Guede, had previously been convicted of taking part in the murder and was sentenced to 30 years.

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"I asked her if she had seen how her country had reacted to the verdict," said Verini. "She was evidently aware of everything that was happening, but did not say what effect she thought it would have on her legal situation."

He quoted Knox as saying that her trial was "correct," and that she "still has faith in the Italian legal system."

Knox's parents had lashed out at the verdict, saying jurors had ignored a lack of evidence that put Knox at the murder scene and the lack of a strong motive for her to kill Kercher.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., issued a statement expressing doubts about the Italian justice system, and indicated that anti-Americanism may have tainted the trial. She implied that the jury was not impartial, and had been negatively influenced by Italian media accounts of the case. Cantwell said she would take her case to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.