Amanda Knox left prison today, a free woman for the first time in four years, after an Italian appeals court threw out the young American's murder conviction in the sexual assault and stabbing death of her British roommate. About 90 minutes after the verdict was handed down, a black Mercedes carrying Knox was seen leaving the prison. One of Knox's lawyers, Carlo della Vedova, says he doesn't know when Knox will leave the country.
Knox needed to renew her passport, but it's not clear how quickly that could be done or if the paperwork was already completed. Knox's parents were in Italy, and hugged their lawyers and cried with joy in the frescoed courtroom when Knox and ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were cleared of murdering Meredith Kercher. Knox herself was so overwhelmed with tears that two guards tugged on her arms to escort her out of the courtroom. (More Amanda Knox stories.)