Amanda Knox Case Update: Legal Saga Ended by Italy’s Highest Court

After eight years of legal drama and media circus that included a couple of films, the Amanda Knox case is finally laid to rest as the Highest Court of Italy acquitted the 27-year-old former exchange student from a case that would have put her to jail for 28 years.

According to CNN, the Italian Supreme Court has overturned the murder conviction for Amanda and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito. The pair was prosecuted when the semi-naked body of Amanda's roommate, British national Meredith Kercher, was found with a slashed throat in their apartment in Perugia, Italy, in November 2007.

Upon learning of the decision of the Italian Supreme Court, Amanda, who was in the United States at the time her acquittal was announced, issued a statement, saying, "The knowledge of my innocence has given me strength in the darkest times of this ordeal. And throughout this ordeal, I have received invaluable support from family, friends and strangers. To them, I say: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has sustained me. I only wish that I could thank each and every one of you in person."

Her family also said in their own statement, "We want to express our profound gratitude to all of those who have supported Amanda and our family. Countless people -- from world-renowned DNA experts to former FBI agents to everyday citizens committed to justice -- have spoken about her innocence. We are thrilled with and grateful for today's decision from the Supreme Court of Italy. And we are grateful beyond measure for all that so many of you have done for her."

According to the New York Times, Rudy Guede, a Perugia student was convicted of murder in a separate trial that linked him with Meredith's death, being one of three assailants in the case, and is serving a 16-year-sentence in prison.

Knox had a sit down with Simon Hattenstone from The Guardian, noting that despite the fact that she's been exonerated, she will carry with her the label of being a criminal. She told Hattenstone, "Being marked as an exoneree is one thing, but being marked as a criminal is another thing and it hurts. It's not OK. I'm not OK with it. It makes me feel so much more isolated and branded."

However, the ruling has put an end to all the speculations and further prosecution for Amanda and Raffaele, including the possibility of extradition from the US.

The reasoning for the acquittal will be released in 90 days.