Suspect Not at Court for Kercher Hearing

American Amanda Knox, 21, and Rudy Hermann Guede, 21, originally from the Ivory Coast, appeared before a judge at the closed pre- trial hearing in the Italian town of Perugia.But there was no sign of the third suspect, Knox’s former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, as Knox and Guede took their places in the courtroom.His lawyer Marco Brusco later refused to say why his client was not in court when asked by reporters.As Knox arrived, she appeared to be handcuffed to police officers.The 21-year-old American student was frowning as she walked into court, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt.The Kercher family entered the court without making any comment to the waiting media.Guede was flanked by officers, dressed casually in a green jumper and cream trousers.Cleared suspect Diya “Patrick” Lumumba also arrived, smiling and casually dressed in a cream jacket.His lawyer said he would be joining the case as a “civil plaintiff”. He is suing Knox for falsely implicating him in Miss Kercher’s murder.The Leeds University exchange student was found semi-naked with her throat slit at the home she shared with Knox and others on Via Della Pergola in Perugia on the night of November 1, 2007.The three suspects have been accused of killing her in a bungled sex game.Today’s hearing could be the first of up to seven as the judge decides if the trio should be tried for murder.

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