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Amanda Knox 'internet searches' for pair accused over Smethwick murder

A couple accused of killing a man and dismembering his body made an internet search about convicted murderer Amanda Knox, a court heard.

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Lorenzo Simon and Michelle Bird, from Smethwick, put the words 'Will Amanda Knox be returning to Italy?' into search engine Google, Birmingham Crown Court heard yesterday.

Knox was convicted, acquitted, then subsequently found guilty after an appeal re-trial of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher. She currently lives in the USA following the original acquittal.

Prosecutors previously said Simon and Bird had made internet searches for countries without extradition agreements with the UK and how to apply for a passport.

The pair, who have pleaded not guilty to murder, are accused of killing Michael Spalding, 39, on April 26.

Jonas Hankin, prosecuting, said: "The couple had made internet searches which included Will Amanda Knox be returning to Italy? They also searched for breaking news on BBC websites."

Amanda Knox in court in Italy

The second day of the hearing also heard from Cara Crawford, a former flat mate of Mr Spalding and his girlfriend who described how he and Simon were 'drinking buddies.'

She said Mr Spalding mysteriously left one night, saying he was going to spend the night at Simon's home in Oxford Road, Smethwick, but never came back.

Justin Warren, a friend of Mr Spalding, said he knew the plasterer from when they lived together at Dormy Hotel in Hagley Road, Birmingham.

He also knew Simon, who owned a blue VW Passat that Mr Spalding used to drive.

However, the latter had an accident in the car and told Mr Warren that Simon had asked him to pay off the debt by decorating his home.

He said Simon's landlord had told Mr Spalding that if he did a good job, he would find him a good house.

During cross examination, the witness told the court Mr Spalding was capable of looking after himself and that he had been involved in a 'couple of scraps' with him.

"If somebody was trying to pick on him or bully him or take something from him then he would not let that happen," Mr Warren said.

Estate agent Ahtsham Ul Haq Hussain told the hearing he had let Simon the home in Oxford Road and another house in Wattville Road, Smethwick.

He also knew Mr Spalding, who visited Substantia Estate Agents a number of times with Simon because he was 'doing work for him.'

However, Mr Hussain said Simon subsequently handed back the keys for Wattville Road, saying he had 'fallen out' with Mr Spalding, known as 'Spud.'

Simon, 34, and Bird, 35, stand accused of dismembering Mr Spalding's body which was found in a canal.

The trial continues.

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