The Italian court overturned the murder convictions of Amanda Knox, the 24 year old American and her former Italian boyfriend in 2007 for slaughtering her roommate, Meredith Kercher were both released.
Excitement went across the court room, while an overwhelmed Knox broke down and was escorted by police officers .
According to Reuters, Amanda was a nervous wreck who just collapsed. She wasn't able to say anything other than 'thank you' in a flood of tears," one of her lawyers Maria Del Grosso told reporters.
Deceased Kercher, had 40 wounds and a deep gash in throat was found in 2007 while rooming with Knox in the Umbrian hill town of Perugia where both were studying.
Both Knox and Sollecito, 27, consistently claimed their innocence throughout the original investigation and trial. A third man, Ivorian drug dealer Rudy Guede, was imprisoned for 16 years for his role in the murder.
The court upheld a conviction against Knox for slander, after she had falsely accused barman Patrick Lumumba of the murders. It sentenced her to three years in prison, a sentence she already served.
While Knox family rejoiced, Kercher's family members sat shocked in the court due to release of Knox, Meredith's sister Stephanie was in tears.
"We respect the decision of the judges but we do not understand how the decision from the first trial could be so radically overturned," the Kerchers said in a statement released through the British embassy.
"We still trust the Italian judicial system and hope that the truth will eventually emerge."
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