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The Crown’s theory was that Dickson — who was a tenant in the same building — forced himself on Liu then killed her by mechanical asphyxiation to cover it up.

It was a very tough case. A very, very tragic case

One forensic pathologist concluded Liu’s cause of death was unascertained, though mechanical asphyxiation — which could include neck compression — was the best overall explanation. A second forensic pathologist definitively concluded it was mechanical asphyxiation.

“It was a very tough case. A very, very tragic case,” Nuttall said after the verdict.

“The case hung on the mechanism of death. The jury struggled with it, the jury made their decision and they made their decision of first-degree murder,” said Nuttall.

Nuttall said his client accepted the verdict.

“Mr. Dickson has always had his eyes wide open.”

Ontario Superior Court Judge Anne Molloy had told the jury they should have no difficulty finding that the man Liu’s ex-boyfriend, Xian Meng, saw was Dickson.

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

After a period of silence he heard Dickson breathing heavily and moments later he appeared naked in front of the webcam and turned off the computer, Meng testified.

Liu was found dead mostly naked and face down on the floor of her room. An earring was missing from one ear, her nightgown was rolled up to her chest and her underwear and tights were in the corner of the room. Semen was found on her thigh and groin and a bodily fluid likely either semen or saliva was on her breasts.