The Crown says George Gwaze's crime is inexcusable.
The 60-year-old denies the murder and sexual violation of 10-year-old Charlene Makaza in Christchurch in 2007.
His defence argues she died as a result of complications of HIV.
Crown prosecutor Brent Stanaway told the jury it's obvious George Gwaze is a well educated, good humoured man, but that is no defence.
"The Crown, as I said when I opened, is inexplicable and illogical but the Crown says regrettably, as has been proved, good men sometimes are proved to have done bad things.''