Conviction, life term for Toronto murder witnessed on webcam from China

A man accused of attacking and raping a Chinese student in her Toronto apartment as her ex-boyfriend watched helplessly via webcam from China has been convicted of first-degree murder.

The jury deliberated for just four hours before delivering its verdict against Brian Dickson, 32. Justice Anne Molloy imposed a life sentence with a chance of parole after 25 years.

Meng, who was in Beijing as he watched the horrifying scene unfold, told police he saw Liu struggling with the man before they disappeared from view.

Later, the man reappeared on the screen, naked from the waist down, before switching off the computer.

Liu's parents travelled from China for the trial. Her father wiped away tears as the verdict was read.

"We are still very sad," Jian Hui Liu said after hearing the verdict through a translator. His wife clutched a picture of their daughter and cried silently.

Dickson lived in an apartment in the same building as Liu, who had moved to Canada from China to study English.

Meng testified that Dickson forced his way inside the apartment while Liu was pushing at his chest and saying "no." Meng said Dickson pushed Liu down off camera and after the sound of two muffled bangs, he heard no more sounds from Liu.

The jury saw video and photographs of Liu's body, lying face down next to her bed, with her nightgown and sweater pulled up to her shoulders. Blood could be seen on the floor around her face. The prosecutor said semen found on Liu's abdomen and groin area matched DNA evidence collected from Dickson.

Dickson's lawyer, Robert Nuttall, said his client has been "absolutely remorseful for a very long time".Dickson "didn't say anything. He just accepted the verdict."