Suspect in Meredith murder demands separate trial fearing Foxy Knoxy and boyfriend are plotting against him

Rudy Hermann Guede, 21, is being held on suspicion of murdering Meredith Kercher in her student digs last year.

Also in custody are Meredith's American flatmate Amanda Knox, 21, and Knox's boyfriend computer studies graduate Raffaele Sollecito, 24.

Amanda Knox and boyfriend Raffaelle Sollecito are being held over Meredith Kercher's murder

Rudy Hermann Guede fears Amanda Knox and her boyfried Raffaelle Sollecito are plotting against him

Meredith, 20, was found semi-naked and with her throat cut in the bedroom of her flat in Perugia, Italy, last November.

Today lawyers representing Guede, who is originally from the Ivory Coast, outlined their request ahead of next week's pretrial review.

Valter Biscotti and Nicodemo Gentile said they wanted Guede's trial to be separated from the other two because they feared a pact against their client.

Mr Biscotti added: "We feel the urgent need to have our trial heard independently of the other two suspects.

"In recent weeks a lot of poison has been spread by the defence teams and we feel the necessity to find some form of serenity in a separate hearing.

"That's why we have asked for a fast track hearing just for our client and we want that hearing as quickly as possible.

"At this hearing we will prove that our client has absolutely nothing to do with the tragic death of Meredith Kercher."

Under Italian law in a fast track trial just no witnesses are heard and evidence is presented in the form of documents - all behind closed doors and the case could be heard as early as next month.

Meredith Kercher was studying in Italy when she was brutally murdered

A single judge decides innocence or guilt and a defendant who opts for this form of justice is usually given a third off any eventual sentence.

Mr Gentile added:"We have studied the evidence and there is no link between him and the weapon found and which is said to be compatible with the wounds on Meredith Kercher.

"It is up to the prosecution to prove that our client is guilty of murder and in this case there is no evidence to back that up and there is the real risk of an innocent man being convicted."

Guede has admitted being at the house the night Meredith, from Croydon, was murdered and his DNA has also been found on her body and on a blood stained pillow.

However he denies killing her and has insisted that he was in the bathroom at the time listening to his iPod and when he came out he found Meredith on the floor dying.

Knox and Sollecito also deny murder and all are also charged with sexual violence as well as robbery.

Next Tuesday a court in Perugia will decide whether the case should proceed to a full trial or if the three - who have been in custody since November - should be released and it will also decide on Guede's request.