FLORENCE, Italy – Amanda Knox faced a setback in court on Wednesday as she was reconvicted of slander, prolonging the legal turmoil that has shadowed her since her acquittal in the 2007 murder case of her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Italy. This latest ruling, coming from a Florence appeals court, marked the sixth time that Italian authorities have found Knox guilty of wrongly accusing an innocent man, Patrick Lumumba, of the crime.

Despite Knox’s claims of being coerced into making false statements during intense police questioning, the court upheld the three-year sentence that she had already served during her time in Italian custody. This decision, delivered by a panel of two judges and six jurors, signaled another twist in the longstanding saga that has gripped global attention.

Knox, making a rare appearance in an Italian court in an attempt to clear her name, stood beside her husband, Christopher Robinson, as the verdict was read. While she showed no visible emotion, her lawyer expressed her disappointment, stating that Knox had anticipated a different outcome that would finally put an end to years of legal challenges.

The legal battle was reignited after a European court ruled that Italy violated Knox’s human rights during the initial investigation, prompting this new trial. Knox, speaking softly in court, admitted to wrongly accusing Lumumba under pressure and expressed regret for her actions during the tumultuous period following Kercher’s murder.

Despite subsequent exoneration and the conviction of another individual linked to the crime, doubts lingered regarding Knox’s involvement, particularly in Italy. The longstanding fallout from her initial accusation against Lumumba continues to cast a shadow over the case, leaving a lasting impact on those involved.

Now a mother of two, Knox has since become an advocate for criminal justice reform and staunchly campaigns against wrongful convictions. Her legal journey, riddled with twists and turns, has once again taken a somber turn with this latest reconviction, prompting speculation about what lies ahead for the embattled figure who has found herself at the center of a highly publicized legal saga.