Today in History - December 4 | World gripped by murder trial of exchange student
In a case that gripped the world, 20-year-old American exchange student Amanda Knox was convicted of of murdering her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, in 2007 in Perugia, Italy.
Knox was handed a 26-year prison sentence, while her 25-year-old Italian former boyfriend, Raffaelle Sollecito, who also was convicted in the murder, was sentenced to 25 years behind bars.
The case grabbed worldwide attention, with British tabloids dubbing Knox as "Foxy Knoxy". In contrast, US media portrayed her as a victim of gross misjustice.
Events began when the nude body of Meredith Kercher (shown here) was found in November 2007 with her throat slashed beneath a duvet in her locked bedroom in Perugia.
After questioning by police, Knox was arrested. She denied any wrongdoing.
Knox returned to the US after an appeals court threw out her conviction in 2011, following four years behind bar. Knox and Sollecito were exonerated of the killing by Italy's highest court four years later.
On December 4, 1988, livewire Hollywood actor Gary Busey fractured his skull after he crashed his motorcycle.
The star of Point Break, Under Siege and other films was not wearing a helmet and was left with permanent brain damage. He later said the accident was behind his decision to becoming a practising Christian.
One of the earliest Thanksgiving commemorations was held in the North American colonies on December 4, 1619.
The service was held by 38 colonists from England who disembarked in Virginia and give thanks to God.
It later became a national holiday in the US and Canada.
British rock band Led Zeppelin made the painful decision to break up on December 4, 1980, two months after the death of drummer John Bonham.
Apart from occasional reunions, the other band members stood by their decision that Led Zeppelin could not continue without Bonham.
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