David Folker found guilty of 2nd-degree murder

David Folkerhas been foundguilty of second-degree murder in the July 2010 death of his girlfriend, Ann Marie Shirran.

A 12-person Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador jury determined that Folker intended to kill Shirranwhen the two quarrelled in their Kilbride apartmentin St. John's.

The defence had arguedthat Folker, 42, originally from Nova Scotia, was guilty ofthe lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of Shirran, who was alsothe mother of their youngson.

However, the Crown insistedFolkerkicked Shirran repeatedly in the head, killing her in the couple's kitchen.

Satisfied with verdict

Prosecutor Lloyd Strickland said the verdict was a long time coming.

"Despite the defendant's changing story, we decided to put all of the evidence before the jury ... and we let them decide. And we are quite satisfied with how it turned out," said Strickland.

"Given (Folker's) actions after (Shirran's death), his well-orchestrated attempts to hide her body ... it all speaks to the fact that he intended to kill her."

People say the hurt gets better in time, but it doesn't. The hurt don't go away, you just learn to accept it more.- Jon Baggs, Ann Marie Shirran's father

Shirran's father Jon Baggs said he was relieved with the guilty verdict, but never doubted Folker murdered his daughter.

"People say the hurt gets better in time, but it doesn't," said Baggs, who also lost a son to a drunk driver several yearsago."The hurt don't go away, you just learn to accept it more."

The jury had been told that Shirran, 32, had wanted to end her relationship with Folker.

In the hours after Shirran's death, Folker stuffed Shirran's body in the rear of his vehicle and drove down the Southern Shore highway before dumping her body in a remote area outside Cappahayden.

Folkerwas also found guilty of interfering with human remains.

The conviction comes with an automatic life sentence, but the jury has made a recommendation to the judge on theamount of time Folker should serve before he'seligible for parole.

Folker's defence lawyers saidany decision to appeal the verdictwouldbe up to their client.

He's scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 4.