Amanda Knox Update: Tells Italian Appeals Court, "The Truth Has Not Been Recognized"

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Amanda Knox, the American student convicted of the 2007 murder of her British roommate, made an emotional statement to an Italian court as her appeal got under way Saturday.

In a powerful 20-minute address, the  American reached out to the family of Meredith Kercher, who she was convicted of killing and sexually assaulting in the apartment they shared on a student exchange program in Perugia.

Knox said that she was villainized during the trial and denied being the "dangerous, diabolical, uncaring, violent" person described by the prosecution.

"I am innocent. Raffaele is innocent. We did not kill Meredith," said Knox, speaking Italian, her voice breaking.

She was in tears as she said she thinks of Kercher as a dear friend she is "grateful and honored" to have met.

Kercher's partially nude body, her throat slit, was found in a pool of blood on Nov. 2, 2007. Last year, Knox was convicted and sentenced to 26 years in prison, along with Knox's former ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, an Italian who was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Both deny wrongdoing, and are appealing the verdict.

Knox's father, Curt Knox,  told CBS' "The Early Show on Saturday Morning" that the appeals process offers his daughter the best chance at freedom.

"One of the very key things that's associated to this appeal is the opportunity to have an independent review of the forensic evidence," Curt Knox said. "And with the horrific situation that took place inside Meredith's bedroom, the fact that there is absolutely no trace of Amanda inside that room, I think, will really be brought to the forefront during that independent review."

Edda Mellas, Amanda Knox's mother, told the morning show that the whole experience has been "an ongoing nightmare" for the family.

"It doesn't get any easier," Mellas said. "We just keep doing what we need to do because we know Amanda's innocent, and we're going to keep working to get her out of there."

"I stand here more scared than ever, not because I am or I have ever been afraid of the truth," Amanda Knox told the court Saturday, "but because the truth has not been recognized."

Amanda Knox also addressed Kercher's family during her statement, saying she was "very sorry Meredith is no longer living."

"I too have little sisters and the idea of their suffering, their loss, terrifies me," a tearful Amanda Knox said. "What you are going through, and what Meredith was subjected to, is incomprehensible and unacceptable," she said.

At the appeals trial, the defense lawyers for Knox and Sollecito are seeking a full review of the forensic evidence, including disputed DNA evidence that was found on a knife allegedly used in the murder, and on the clasp of Kercher's bra.

The defense maintains that DNA traces were inconclusive, and also argued that they may have been contaminated when they were analyzed. They also want new testimony to be heard.

The court is expected to rule on these requests at the next hearing, Dec. 18.

As they may under Italian law, the prosecutors are also appealing in pursuit of the life sentences which they originally sought.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF AMANDA KNOX ON CRIMESIDER