Murder trial begins in Italy for UW student

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By KOMO Staff & News Services
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PERUGIA, Italy - A judge ruled Friday that the trial of an American student accused of killing her British roommate would remain open to the media despite concerns about the indignity of releasing sensitive details of an alleged sexual attack.On the first day of the trial of Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, presiding Judge Giancarlo Massei rejected a request by the family of victim Meredith Kercher to have the proceedings closed to the public and the media.Massei barred cameras from filming, but ruled the trial would remain open to print journalists - although some sessions could be closed. The next session was scheduled for Feb. 6.The ruling was one of several technical issues ironed out at the start of the trial of Knox, 21, from Seattle, and Raffaele Sollecito, 24.Both are charged with murder and sexual violence in the slaying of Kercher, who was found stabbed to death Nov. 2, 2007 in the apartment she shared with Knox in Perugia, 115 miles (185 kilometers) north of Rome where both were exchange students.