The mother of murdered college student Meredith Kercher has spoken out and revealed her surprise that her daughter's previously convicted alleged killers, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, had their sentences overturned and were officially freed from any kind of persecution in the crime.

Amanda Knox's Conviction Is Overturned

Kercher's mother, Arline Kercher, told the Unite Kingdom's Press Association that she was "a bit surprised, and very shocked, but that is about it at the moment," after learning that Italy's Court of Cassation had overturned Knox and Sollecito's second convictions for the crime, and further declined to begin a third and final appeals trial, making the new decision the last one concerning the former couple's freedom.

"They have been convicted twice, so it's a bit odd that it should change now," Arline added. "At the moment, I haven't got any plans to take action after the ruling."

Decision On Amanda Knox Is Delayed

Kercher, 21, was sexually assaulted and murdered in the Perugia, Italy flat she and Knox shared with two other students back in 2007. Knox and Sollecito were convicted in 2009, alongside a third man, Rudy Guede. Guede's trail was fast-tracked and he began serving a 16-year-prison sentence.

Knox and Sollecito's first convictions were overturned in 2011, and Knox returned to the U.S. and her hometown of Seattle. However, new trials were ordered again in 2013, which resulted in both being convicted a second time. Had those convictions been upheld, Sollecito would have been sentenced to 25 ½ years, while Knox would have served 28 ½ years .

Tags: amanda knox