Xie found guilty of murdering family

A man has been found guilty of murdering five of his wife's relatives in their Sydney home in 2009.

Robert Xie is led to a prison van at NSW SupremeCourt

Robert Xie is led to a prison van at NSW Supreme Court in Sydney, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Source: AAP

Robert Xie has been found guilty of murdering five of his wife's relatives, more than seven years after the family was bludgeoned in their Sydney home.

Xie, 53, had pleaded not guilty to murdering the relatives of his wife Kathy Lin in their North Epping home in the early hours of July 18, 2009.

On its eighth day of deliberations, a NSW Supreme Court jury on Thursday found him guilty of five counts of murder following a six month trial.

As the majority verdict was handed down on Thursday, Xie told the court he did not murder the Lin family.

"I am innocent," he told the jury as he left the court.

His wife Kathy began to cry.

The jury deliberating on the fate of accused murderer Robert Xie had been having trouble reaching a unanimous verdict. 

During the trial, Xie was accused of using a hammer-like object to inflict horrific head injuries on his newsagent brother-in-law Min Lin, 45; his wife Lily Lin, 43; her sister Irene, 39; and the Lins' two sons, Henry, 12, and Terry, 9.

The Crown alleged he was motivated by anger and resentment over his perceived "subordinate status" within the extended family and the uncritical regard given to his brother-in-law Min Lin.

The Crown also suggested there was a sexual motive, but details cannot be published for legal reasons.

The defence pointed to Xie's alibi, supported by his wife, that he was in bed asleep with her when the crimes occurred in the nearby Lin residence and also says more than one assailant was likely to have been involved.

The defence said Xie got along with his five relatives, in particular with his nephew Henry whom he loved like a son.

Justice Fullerton told jurors they must consider the opinions of their peers during deliberations, but reminded them they must reach a verdict that satisfies their genuine beliefs.

"If you are honestly and genuinely ... satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of the accused's guilt, you cannot join in a verdict of not guilty," she said.

"If you have a reasonable doubt of his guilt, you cannot join a verdict that finds the accused guilty."



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Source: AAP

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