Amanda Knox indicted on slander charge

Police denied misconduct and filed charges saying Knox’s comments were slanderous.

Judge Claudia Matteini issued the indictment after a hearing behind closed doors at which Knox spoke. The judge scheduled the trial to begin on May 17. If she is convicted, any prison sentence Knox receives would be added to her current sentence.

Knox is serving a 26-year prison term after being convicted in December of murder and sexual assault. She has denied murdering Kercher, a 21-year-old Briton, and her appeal is set to begin Nov. 24.

Her father, Curt Knox, told “The Early Show’’ on CBS yesterday that “this is going to be her chance once again to have that wrongful conviction overturned.’’

Lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova described Knox as “very sad and worried’’ but also ready to face the appeals trial.

Knox’s ex-boyfriend and codefendant, Raffaele Sollecito, was convicted and sentenced to 25 years. A third person, Ivorian Rudy Hermann Guede, was convicted of murder in separate proceedings and sentenced to 30 years in prison, which was reduced to 16 years on appeal. All have maintained their innocence.