NEW : Raffaele Sollecito implores judges `` to really look at reality '' He is not a witness and any statement would not be under oath . Sollecito was in the Dominican Republic at the start of the retrial but returned to Italy . He and Knox were acquitted in 2011 , but the case is back before an appeals court . The appeal will likely take place this year or early next year.
NEW : Raffaele Sollecito implores judges `` to really look at reality '' He is not a witness and any statement would not be under oath . He and Knox were acquitted in 2011 , but the case is back before an appeals court . The appeal will likely take place this year or early next year.