New Zealand convicts man of murdering tourist
A New Zealand jury on Friday (November 22) convicted a man of murdering a female British tourist.
22-year-old backpacker Grace Millane disappeared in the capital Auckland on December 1st last year.
Her body was discovered by police near bushland more than a week later.
Millane's father spoke outside the courthouse on Friday.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH BACKPACKER GRACE MILLANE'S FATHER, DAVID MILLANE, SAYING:
"The verdict of murder today will be welcomed by every member of the Millane family and friends of Grace. It will not reduce the pain, the suffering that we have had to endure for over the past year.
During the trial, the jury heard that Millane met the man through dating app Tinder.
Prosecutors told the jury that the man took several photos of Millane's body, the day after her murder.
The body was then placed in a suitcase and driven away to be buried.
The man, whose name has been suppressed by the court, pleaded not guilty.
His defense argued that Millane died accidentally during consensual sex.
But the jury rejected the argument.
And convicted him just hours after deliberations began.
He now faces life in prison for murder.
He'll be sentenced on February 21.
The man's lawyer could not be reached for comment.
