Kercher family want end to trial

Ms Kercher was studying Italian

The family of Meredith Kercher have spoken of their wish for a conclusion to the long-running trial of the two people accused of murdering her.

The 21-year-old student, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was on an exchange programme in Perugia, Italy, when she was found with a slit throat on 2 November 2007.

The trial of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito is still to come to an end.

Speaking two years on from her death, her family said they hoped the case in Italy would come to an end soon.

'Miss her'

US student Ms Knox, 22, and her Italian former boyfriend Mr Sollecito, 25, are accused of killing the Leeds University student.

Their trial, which began in January, is due to conclude in the coming weeks.

"The two years since Meredith's death have passed very quickly. But we still miss her more than ever," a statement released through Ms Kercher's family's lawyer said.

"We can only hope now that a conclusion is reached in the next five weeks, so that we can finally dedicate ourselves to remember Meredith for the person that all of us knew and not as a victim or as a news item."

Ms Knox and Mr Sollecito deny murdering Ms Kercher in the Umbrian town in central Italy.

Another man, Rudy Guede, originally from the Ivory Coast, has already been jailed for 30 years for her murder.

Guede, 22, was found guilty of murder and sexual violence at a trial held behind closed doors in Perugia last October.

He has denied wrongdoing and is appealing against the conviction.

Prosecutors have accused all three of killing Ms Kercher after she refused to take part in a sex game.