American student Amanda Knox arrives in a Perugia court for the final stages of her appeal trial.
In 2009 she was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the murder of her British housemate, Meredith Kercher.
Prosecutors said the killing resulted from a sex game gone wrong.
Knox's hopes of being set free were given a boost by an independent report casting strong doubt on the DNA evidence used to convict her.
Her mother flew to Perugia for the closing arguments. She said her daughter is trying her best to cope.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AMANDA KNOX'S MOTHER, EDDA MELLAS, SAYING:
"Every day is a struggle for her, every day that she is locked up is horrible. The appeal has gone great, you know, and that's great, but today you get to hear all the lies and you know, the misinformation all over again. It's hard."
The Knox family believe the appeal has gone much better than the original trial, though experts are divided over whether she will be acquitted.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AMANDA KNOX'S MOTHER, EDDA MELLAS, SAYING:
"You know I think none of us are assuming that this is over, we just have to wait and hope that the right thing is done and that she is released."
Knox's Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, was also in court - he was sentenced to 25 years for his role in the murder, though also maintains his innocence.
A verdict from the appeal hearing is expected after concluding arguments from prosecution and defence are wrapped up next week.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
