NEWSMAKERS | Amanda Knox lawyers seek to stop TV film

NEWSMAKERS

Amanda Knox lawyers seek to stop TV film

ROME

Lawyers for U.S. student Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend, who were found guilty of killing Knox’s British roommate in Italy, have demanded that U.S. television channel Lifetime scrap a planned film about their trial.

Attorneys Carlo Dalla Vedova and Luca Maori said Saturday they had sent letters to Lifetime warning they would go to U.S. court to try to stop the film if it isn’t canceled and a trailer removed from Lifetime’s website.

“Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy,” which features “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere in the title role, is due to air Feb. 21.

There was no answer at Lifetime’s New York offices Saturday.

Knox and ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted in 2009 of sexually assaulting and murdering Meredith Kercher on Nov. 1, 2007, in the apartment she shared with Knox in the central Italian city of Perugia.

Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison; Sollecito 25 years. Both deny wrongdoing, and their appeals trial is under way.

Chocolate Drops shuffle lineup

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

The Grammy-nominated Carolina Chocolate Drops have made a lineup change on the eve of the awards.

Nonesuch Records spokeswoman Melissa Cusick told The Associated Press that founding member Justin Robinson has left the band. Beat boxer Adam Matta and multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins are coming aboard to join Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons, she said.

Jackman gives advice to 2011 Oscars hosts

DALLAS

As a former host of the Academy Awards, Hugh Jackman has some advice to this year’s hosts: Enjoy the beginning of the show, and don’t forget to eat.

He advises James Franco and Anne Hathaway to have fun during the first 45 minutes of the show and move things along after that.

He also says it’s important to eat, remembering when he was hosting in 2009 pulling out some cookies and being surrounded by hungry actors.

Jackman made the comments Friday night while attending the Audi Forum Dallas pre-Super Bowl party.

Associated Press