Knox 'upbeat and hopeful' over Meredith murder trial

Knox, 21, goes on trial on Friday, over the death of British student Meredith Kercher, 21, whose semi-naked body was found with her throat cut in the bedroom of their shared house in Perugia, Italy, in November 2007.

The American is accused of murder with her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and could face a life sentence if found guilty. Ms Kercher, of Coulsdon, south London, was studying for a European Studies degree at Leeds University and went to Italy as part of an exchange programme.

Prosecutors claims she was murdered after refusing to take part in a drug-fuelled sex game and that Knox and Sollecito tried to cover their tracks by pretending there had been a break-in.

More than 250 witnesses are expected to be called and the jury will hear from 20 investigators and dozens of experts.

Father Saulo Scarabattoli, who has spoken to Knox regularly in prison, said: "Amanda has taken comfort from our chats about religion and she is hopeful that she will be cleared.

"She is being comforted by the dozens of letters she gets from her family and friends and from other people as well. I told her that if she tells the truth then everything will be fine. She is upbeat and hopeful of proving her innocence but she is slightly worried about all the media attention that will be on her."

In October, third suspect Rudy Guede, a 22-year-old drifter from the Ivory Coast, was found guilty of murder and sexual assault and was given a 30-year jail sentence after a fast-track hearing.

Defence teams for Knox and Sollecito will argue that neither of their clients were at the scene and that they did not know Guede. They will also say that the DNA evidence is contaminated.

Last night Francesco Maresca, the Kercher family lawyer, said he expected the trial would not finish until September at the earliest.

He said: "There will be six hearings a month - one every Friday and two Mondays or Saturdays depending on what the court decides. It will be very long but the Kercher family have full faith in the Italian justice system. They will not be attending the opening on Friday but will come at a later date when they have to give evidence."

Trial judge Giancarlo Massei's first decision on Friday, along with six jury members and two assistant judges, will be to decide whether to accept a request from Mr Maresca to hold the hearing in chambers. Mr Maresca said: "The trial is in open court but I think the judge will probably rule to have parts of it kept private and exclude the press and public for the more harrowing aspects."