And fellow astronaut remains on the ground as part of a scientific experiment that could one day send a man or woman to mars. And the elite eight. Four more teams advance keeping the dream alive, Michigan State upsetting oklahoma next stop the final four. The best teams tipoff for that chance today, saturday march 28th, 2015. Welcome to today on saturday morning. Nice to see everybody together this morning. Lester is enjoying the morning off. You can only imagine the relief foray manned a knocks and her family seven and a half years after this case this episode. Thats true. A lot of people were surprised when the news came down overnight. Thats right. We want to get to our top story, amanda knocks. She was acquitted of murder charges by italys highest court. She spoke briefly from seattle, her home making an emotional statement how grateful she was to finally have her life back. Kelly cobiella is in rome where the ruling came down. Good morning. Reporter good morning, peter. This was a stunning decision late last night. The case against amanda knocks and her former boyfriend now closed. The judges decision could not have been clearer. Wiping out the convictions and ending knoxs ordeal in italy for good. Now exonerated with her murder conviction overturned amanda knocks broke her long silence late friday night. I am incredibly grateful for what has happened for the justice i received for support i had from everyone and i am so grateful to have my life back. Reporter at italys highest court, deliberations lasted more than ten hours. Late friday the five judge panel overturned both murder convictions. This was a mistake, it was a mistake from the beginning. Should have not waited all these years. Reporter it has been nearly seven and a half years since Meredith Kercher was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in italy. Knocks and her former boyfriend were convicted of her murder in 2009 acquitted in 2011 then convicted again last year. Since knoxs tearful return home after the acquittal, she seemed to move on with a memoir a job at a newspaper, and last month an engagement. Although she told matt in 2013 she worried about prison she said she also had hope. Theres no trace of me in the room where my friend was murdered. Theres traces all over the place of the man who actually did this. Rudi gud awas convicted, his dna was everywhere. Reporter the end of a long legal road no retrials no extradition, no more appeals. Meredith was my friend and im the lucky one. Reporter in a statement, the kercher family said the decision came as a shock but they were ready to accept it. Back to knox peter, we have it on Good Authority she now looks forward to returning to italy one day as a free woman. Thats remarkable. Thank you very much. The criminal case as we noted is now closed but there are still plenty of questions about what happens next for both amanda knocks and her former boyfriend. Theodore simon is amanda knockss attorney in the u. S. And carlo della ved da helped her get her freedom in that courtroom. Gentlemen, good morning. Congratulations, we appreciate your time. Carlo, i want to start with you if i can. Out of the gates, you were the one that called amanda knocks from italy to her home in seattle and broke the news the conviction was overturned. Can you tell us more about that conversation that phone call . Good morning to everybody and thank you very much. The first conversation of course she was very happy, crying couldnt say anything. She didnt expect to have a decision in the merit, because we are at the level of Supreme Court, this is one of the possibilities. We were preern ating that the Supreme Court decided not to retry her and take the decision to put the end to this story. So at the beginning, the first conversation with a man she was so happy could hardly speak. Full exoneration in a case like this is extremely rare there were a series of options available to the justices in italy. Give us an understanding how surprised you were by this clean acquittal. Well we were looking for this. The surprise was partial. We had acquittal already before and it is a difficult case but at the end what matters was the evidence. There was no evidence. So we are clear contest tags of the motivation how the conviction was structured had to fail. We explained it to the Supreme Court and this has been recognized. Actually the last conviction had more lack and contradiction on motivation so we were surprised but welcoming this decision. Ted, this is a ruling seven years in the making four years of which amanda knocks spent behind bars. Is this saga legal saga finally over . First i would say for clarification, extraordinary legal cudos are due and extended to carlo and lucy her long time italian lawyers that successfully argued the appeal responsible for giving her back her freedom. What i would say today is that this decision from the court announces once again to the world and with absolute finality that amanda knocks was previously wrongfully convicted and now rightfully acquitted and that she was not, absolutely not responsible for the tragic loss of Meredith Kercher. And just as amanda said yesterday, let us not forget that meredith was amandas friend. I know amanda and her family want you to remember meredith and keep the kercher family in your prayers. It is a remarkable proper jus verdict. I know today is a day to be thankful and appreciative. And amanda knocks and all her family and supporters extend enormous gratitude, appreciation and thanks. Thank you both very much. Again, congratulations, gentlemen. Investigators are still searching for answers at this point about the copilot who intentionally crashed that plane into the french alps. This morning there are newly published reports raising more questions about whether warning signs may have been missed. Nbc katy tur is in germany this morning. Good morning. Reporter in some ways these revelations have been revealing. For instance was this premeditated. They still dont know. Right now investigators do have somewhere to start at least as they search this home. As recovery workers comb through the french alps painstakingly collecting debris and parts of victims, german prosecutors are combing through the life of the man they say caused it all, copilot Andreas Lubitz. Carrying boxes of evidence and computers from his homes in dusseldorf and month bar, they say they found evidence he was ill, including doctors notes excusing him from work the day of the crash. Notes he should have given to the airline, instead in pieces in a trash bin. The torn up sick note says the prosecutor support our assumption that he hid his illness. The Prosecutors Office wouldnt elaborate what illness the doctors note excused him for, but a hospital confirmed he was examined in february and as recently as march 10th. The hospital says they did not treat him for depression. Today, germanys biggest tabloid quotes a woman who claims to be his exgirlfriend. According to the paper, lubitz told her last year quote, one day i am going to do something that will change the whole system and everyone will know my name and remember. It is a claim nbc news cannot confirm. Back at the crash site families mourn for 16 High School Students two babies mothers, fathers, brothers sisters, daughters, and sons trying to find peace now that the worst is done. I dont feel anger, i am really sad for the father the parents of that young pilot. Reporter the wall street journal is reporting that note was from a neuro psychologist for depression. Nbc news hasnt been able to confirm that. While it might be a lead, it is important to note doesnt mean he will commit suicide, let alone homicide especially on this scale. Katy tur, thank you. Dr. Ryan sugarman conducts Mental Health exams in the u. S. Good morning. Good morning. You conduct screenings for the faa. Are you confident the current process allows you to detect whether a person is mentally fit to be at the controls or be in charge of hundreds of lives . I personally have confidence in the ee valtive system in the usa. I cant speak to the International Way theyre conducted, but in the u. S. The process for pilot application is fairly rigorous for current pilots that hold a medical certificate, if any concerns about their safety arise, if they receive any medical treatment, theyre obligated to report that to their airline and to the faa which will trigger further evaluation. Part of the issue could lie on whether a note is passed on as we see in this case. If someone is deemed unfit by a doctor is that doctor allowed by law to contact the airline, say i have reservations about this person maybe they shouldnt be in the cockpit . If a doctor has significant concern about Public Safety then there are instances in which the doctor can contact the faa and take measures to ensure Public Safety. So that can happen. Is there anything then you said youre confident with that process in the u. S. We understand you cant speak to what happens in other countries, but should there be more consistency given theres so much International Travel . Sure. So obviously each country can adopt their own standards but there is a field of aviation medicine Aviation Industry neuropsychology, conferences held annually. I think this is an ongoing area like anything elsewhere theres room for improvement and where coordination of efforts is definitely important between various countries and how these assessments are conduct. Appreciate your time and expertise this morning. Thank you. My pleasure. A decorated Police Officer in boston was injured overnight after a deadly shootout that took place there. Sheinelle has more of that news. Yes. Good morning. A boston Police Officer seriously wounded in a shootout overnight was honored by president obama last year. Police say 34yearold John Moynihan is fighting for his life after he was shot during a traffic stop. The suspect was killed by other officers. Back in may moynihan received top cop award at the white house for his role in the gunbattle with the Boston Marathon bombers. A driver that helped 35 children evacuate a burning bus is called a hero. The quick thinking driver noticed smoke coming from the engine when she arrived at the School Friday and swiftly got the kids off the bus. Even tried to put out flames herself with an x continuing wisher. Two children were treated at the scene but didnt have serious injuries. Authorities are investigating a hang gliding accident. A 12yearold boy and instructor were killed when it crashed into a dry lakebed south of las vegas. Police say the instructor and experienced hang glider was with the boy at the time of the accident. More followup over Hillary Clintons use of private emails while secretary of state. Friday the head of the Congressional Committee investigating benghazi says clintons lawyer informed him her email server was wiped clean after she turned over work related emails to the state department. Secretary of state john kerry ordered review of Record Keeping at the state department as a result of the scandal. American astronaut scott kelly arrived safely at the International Space station. The soyuz capsule successfully docked overnight and the trio got an enthusiastic welcome once the hatch opened. He will spend 372 days aboard the laboratory twice as long as a standard mission. More on this next hour. One year in space. Thats a big decision to make to be away for your family. Two daughters at home. Going to be a long trip but historic one. Dylan is here with a check of the weather. Welcome back. Thank you. Where have i been that i just realized the Kelly Brothers are twins. It all makes sense now. Good thing for the mustache. Lets look at the weather pattern, youre getting used to it, weave seeing it for months. We have a huge dip in the jet stream it is keeping things cold down south. Last thing you want to see as we finish march, we have freeze warnings hard freeze warnings near nashville. Thats more for plants because as theyre start to go bud with a couple of warmer days then you get that hard freeze and it halts things. Look how cold it is. 21 in cincinnati 28 in nashville. Pittsburgh only 15 degrees. Slightly milder in the midatlantic. Going through the day, we will be running 15 to 25 degrees below average. Nashville not even hitting 50 degrees today. We have light snow across eastern long island. It is a slushy snow not going to accumulate more than on the grassy surfaces. Could see enough accumulation to say enough with the snow. This cold air will continue to and a good saturday morning. A cold and windy day today. Maybe a flurry or two, 38 to 41. Winds gusting near 30 miles an hour later on this afternoon. Sunday still cold 45 monday not bad, partly sunny 59. A clipper comes through on tuesday. Could see a chance of rain possibly some snow. We warm it up by wednesday. Into the 60s thursday and friday. Tracking the chance for a shower possibly a thundershower on friday. Have a good day. And thats your latest forecast. Welcome to spring, 32 degrees outside. Still to come in case you missed it we have highlights with the download. First, this is today on nbc. On this saturday time for the download. The biggest most interesting stories. Yours and yours alone. It is nearly impossible to see every story out there during the week we get it. Every saturday morning we give you what you need to know. In just a few minutes, starting with a look back at the horrific tragedy in france. Chilling evidence this plane crash in the french alps was a deliberate act. The pilot is heard leaving the cockpit. He tried to get back in locked by the copilot who ignored him. The things Andreas Lubitz kept hidden are emerging. Torn up doctors notes declaring him unfit to work. Investigators are now analyzing reports lubitz suffered from depression. Sergeant bowe bergdahl. This war isnt worth the waste of human life. Today he was charged. Desertion. The war on terror rages on in the middle east. Isis has its sights set on yemen. The u. S. Has withdrawn military advisers. At home. A Group Calling itself the Islamic StateDivision Posted names and addresses of 100 u. S. Military. Robert durst remains under suicide watch in new orleans. The judge ordered durst held without bail. Anybody would be a fool to think there wasnt a connection between the final episode of the series and the arrest of mr. Durst. The 2016 president ial race now officially under way, with ted cruz being the first to announce candidacy. I am ready to stand with you to lead the fight. Senator cruz how are you feeling after making the announcement . Invigorated. We are certainly ready for going forward, doing everything we can to turn the country around. Very personal announcement. Angelina jolie revealing she had preventive surgery to remove her ovaries. To reduce her chance of getting cancer. Cancer took her grandmother, aunt and mother. I feel at ease with whatever will come not because i am strong but because this is part of life. In music, one direction says goodbye to one of its members. New direction for one direction. He told the bands 37 million followers on facebook i have to do what feels right in my heart. Harry styles can be seen wiping away tears. And march madness heats up teams battle in the sweet 16. One wisconsin player is going viral after his stunt at a press conference. Gosh shes beautiful. Did you hear that . All right. So we will open up the questions. Got to love that moment. We were talking earlier this morning, it is tough to not think about this plane crash. We have been following it all week and there are so many unanswered questions, there was an interesting piece, a friend of mine posted on facebook a woman took a flight the next morning wrote this post in her gut she was worried about getting on the plane, she knew at that point probably being on a germanwings plane was likely the safest place to be. The pilot welcomed every person. Once they sat down the pilot got on said look we dont have to be here today, the company said you dont have to be here we are all here, upset, we have questions like you do. I want you to know i have kids wife family. We are going to get you there safely. We are trying to understand it too. She said it was amazing, everybody clapd. Nobody was on their phone or reading the paper. It was an interesting and real moment in all these questions that we have. In these days flying just yesterday, you look at the cockpit longer than you used to. Absolutely. Eye contact. I thought about that. We all travel a lot. Sometimes you get on and off, sometimes you see them and you nod, you want to make eye contact and say thank you when you get off. Powerful story. Not to be lost in this the issue of Mental Illness in this country and around the world, one we will keep focusing on. Lets talk about happy things for a moment. Late night for guys and a lot of women, great time of year for sports fans. The big dance. You have to love this moment took place in wisconsin. They have been having fun with the stenographer at the games, trying to give tough words. Saying antidisestablish men tarnism. Then he looked at the stenographer gosh shes beautiful. Your best open mike moment. My goodness. You know what i had turned off my mike to run to the bathroom in one of my first markets, forgot to turn the mike back on when i came onset. I got screamed at to the point i will never turn a mike off. Always a good moment. Always very careful. I love the fact after he was caught he goes oh. Like a fouryearold. Like oops. He was sweet the way he said it oh, my gosh shes beautiful. 68 250. A good moment. Still, getting to the bottom of a racist chant from university of oklahoma. What the school is now saying about where the chant was first learned. Nbc 10 breaking news. Weve been following this breaking news all morning long. We want to get you up to date on this. After burning for about four hours, a warehouse fire in north philadelphia is now under control. Thats the good news. Heres a look at the flames from earlier this morning at the vacant twostory building on westmoreland street.