Prosecutors in Amanda Knox’s murder trial are claiming the American student killed her British roommate for no reason, and she should face the maximum penalty for her crime, Reuters is reporting. During Knox’s appeals trial, the prosecutors added that the 24-year-old would flee Italy if she was freed.

Knox, as well as her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, are both fighting their convictions of murdering her roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007. If the verdict remains, the two will likely remain in jail for the rest of their lives.

“They were young but they killed for no reason,” prosecutor Manuela Comodi said. She added that they should be given the maximum sentence for their crime. If Knox is freed, she is believed to return home to the United States. If she does return home, any appeal or re-trial would take place in her absence.

Prosecutor Giuliao Mignini urged the appeals court to keep Knox’s verdict in place, as “We know that if the verdict is overturned, there will be an immediate escape overseas. As a result, even if this is the second of a three-step legal process in Italy, it is up to you to ensure justice.”

Kercher’s mother and sister are believed to attend the verdict reading on October 3. The two have kept a low profile during the trial, as opposed to Knox’s family, who have embarked on a media campaign to free her.

Written by: Karen Benardello