Setback for Knox appeal

Amanda Knox has suffered a setback in her bid to clear her name of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007 after Italy's supreme court declared that more than one person took part in the killing.

In revealing why it rejected fellow murder convict Rudy Guede's appeal against a 16-year sentence for his part in the crime, the Supreme Court of Cassazione also noted on Thursday evening that Guede had not acted alone.

Observers said the ruling might undermine the claim of Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, that Guede was the sole perpetrator.

Knox and Sollecito are appealing against 26-year and 25-year sentences respectively, in a separate court in the central city of Perugia. Defence lawyers for the Knox and Sollecito say there are numerous gaps in the prosecution's case.