Updated

A lawyer says Amanda Knox is "very anxious" as Italy's top criminal court hears arguments from prosecutors appealing her acquittal in the murder of her roommate.

Attorney Luciano Ghirga said he spoke to Knox by phone.

The Court of Cassation on Monday is considering prosecutors' contentions that the 2011 acquittals of American Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher should be thrown out and a new trial ordered.

Prosecutors in Italy can appeal acquittals. In the first trial, Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of the 2007 murder in the university town of Perugia and given long prison sentences. They were acquitted on appeal and Knox returned to the U.S.

Defense attorneys argue the 2011 acquittals were justified. The court could rule later Monday.