Kercher killer reveals hopes

AN AMERICAN student convicted in Italy of murdering her British room-mate has told an Italian lawyer in a series of conversations in prison that she hopes to adopt children and be a writer when free.

Lawyer Rocco Girlanda yesterday revealed that he had kept a diary of his frequent interviews with Amanda Knox in her Perugia jail, and that the material would form the basis of a book being published in Italy and the United States later on this year.

Girlanda's book, entitled Take Me With You - Talks With Amanda Knox In Prison also includes letters and poetry Knox sent to Girlanda, who is the president of an Italian-US foundation.

Knox, 23, is appealing her conviction last December for murder and sexual assault over the 2007 death of the British student Meredith Kercher. She was sentenced to 26 years in prison but has maintained her innocence. Her appeal is expected to take place in October.