Updated

Italy's high court has explained why it reversed the acquittal of American student Amanda Knox, saying the decision acquitting her of murder was full of contradictions.

In March, the Court of Cassation overturned Knox's acquittal in the 2007 murder of flatmate Meredith Kercher and ordered a new trial. On Tuesday, the high court issued its written reasoning for doing so.

According to excerpts of the 74-page ruling, the high court judges hypothesized that Kercher was killed during a forced "erotic game" that went out of control, LaPresse news agency reported.

The high court faulted the Perugia appeals court for "multiple instances of deficiencies, contradictions and illogical" conclusions, Corriere della Sera reported.

Kercher's body was found in November 2007 in her bedroom of the house she shared with Knox in Perugia.