Knox back in court on slander charge

(AP)

Convicted murderer Amanda Knox appeared in court yesterday accused of slandering the Italian police by claiming that they assaulted her while she was questioned over the killing of a British student.

The 22-year-old American appeared briefly, sporting a new short haircut, right, before being taken into a preliminary hearing held behind closed doors in a Perugia courthouse in central Italy. It was the first time she had been seen publicly since December when she was led out of the courtroom in tears after being found guilty of Meredith Kercher's slaying to begin a 26-year prison sentence. Prosecutors said Miss Kercher's throat was cut after she refused to take part in a drug-fuelled sex session. Knox will appeal that conviction.

Knox said that she had been the subject of a "crescendo" of police pressure and that a policewoman hit her twice on the head during interrogation. Police have denied the misconduct and filed slander charges against her. The case was adjourned until 1 October.