SYDNEY, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- One of Australia's longest running murder trials ended Thursday, as a jury delivered a guilty verdict convicting Robert Xie, 53, of murdering all five members of the Lin family in their home in Sydney in 2009.
Xie pled not guilty to murdering his wife Kathy Lin's relatives in their North Epping residence on July 18, 2009.
After seven years, and four different hearings, Xie is facing life in prison after the New South Wales Supreme Court jury handed down its decision in one of Australia's longest ever murder trials.
In their arguments, the prosecution said Xie was fuelled by resentment at his inferior status within the Lin family, sedated his wife in the early hours of the night, crept 300 meters to their home, and turned off the electricity, before bludgeoning Min Lin, 45, Yun Lin, 44, Yun Bin Lin, 39, Henry Lin, 12, and Terry Lin, 9, to death.
Throughout the trial, Xie maintained his innocence, with his defence team insisting that it would have been impossible for one man to have committed the crime, and questioning the Crown's DNA and witness evidence.
The jury, unable to reach a unanimous verdict, returned with an 11-1 majority determination.
As the judgement was handed down, Xie stood up and rejected the verdict as the jury was dismissed.
"I did not murder the Lin family," Xie said. "I am innocent."
