SEATTLE -- The Seattle woman accused in the highly publicized slaying of her roommate in Italy will return to court Saturday for a pre-trial hearing.

The hearing is the latest in a series that will decide whether former University of Washington student Amanda Knox will stand trial for the murder of British exchange student Meredith Kercher, who Knox shared a cottage with in Perugia, Italy.

Knox has been in police custody since last November shortly after Kercher was found dead.

Knox's ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, and Rudy Guede are also being held.

If the judge decides that there is enough evidence, the trial is likely to start early next year.

Knox's last court appearance was on Sept. 26.