Rudy Guede, the only individual definitively convicted in the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher, is set to return to court this fall facing new charges of sexual assault and violence against a former girlfriend. Guede, now 38 years old, was originally sentenced to 30 years in prison for Kercher’s murder in October 2008. His sentence was later reduced on appeal, leading to his early release for good behavior in 2021.
The upcoming trial in Viterbo is significant, given Guede’s past notoriety and the intense media scrutiny surrounding the original case, which inspired numerous books and films. The evidence for the new charges includes over 100,000 photos, as well as thousands of messages exchanged between Guede and the unnamed victim, as noted by investigating magistrate Rita Cialoni.
Guede’s relationship with the victim began while he was still incarcerated. Their connection ended in 2023 when the woman lodged formal charges against him. According to Italian media, the 25-year-old woman accused Guede of sexual assault, mistreatment, and stalking, allegations that stemmed from their time together in Viterbo, where Guede worked initially on a work release program and later after his release.
The first hearing for this new case is scheduled for November 4, 2023. Guede’s lawyer, Carlo Mezzetti, has stated that his client maintains his innocence and expresses concerns about receiving a fair trial due to his previous conviction.
The original case gained global attention, particularly regarding the involvement of American student Amanda Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito. Both were convicted in connection with Kercher’s murder in 2009, but their convictions were ultimately overturned by Italy’s Supreme Court in 2015 after a lengthy legal battle. Knox still faces a conviction for slander related to false accusations against a former nightclub owner, Patrick Lumumba.
As Guede’s new trial approaches, the implications of his past conviction and the high-profile nature of the case continue to resonate. The legal proceedings will be closely monitored, given the significant public interest in the developments surrounding both Meredith Kercher’s murder and Guede’s subsequent actions.
