Man found not guilty of murdering his lover

A High Court jury in Auckland has found a man not guilty of murdering his lover.

Feng Li, 44, was found not guilty of murdering 54-year-old Auckland massage parlour owner Xiukun Feng, also known as Nancy Peterson, following a three-week trial.

The jury reached its verdict in a little less than three hours.

Mrs Peterson's body was found in the back of her car parked in The Warehouse carpark in New Lynn on April 30 last year. She had died from a single blow to the back of her head.

The Crown alleged that Li killed Mrs Peterson because she had been growing obsessive and jealous with the impending return of his wife from China.

Li's lawyer, Steve Bonnar, yesterday said Li was delighted with the verdict.

"He's always maintained his innocence from day one," said Mr Bonnar.

"There is some foundation for a view that police had formed a view very early on that Mr Li was guilty but the evidence did not point to him."

Mr Bonnar told the jury in his closing address that Mrs Peterson had created enough enemies to suspect someone else was responsible for her murder.

Immediately following the verdict, Li was served with an immigration removal order.

Mr Bonnar said it was "an outrage" that Li had not been informed before the verdict this would happen should he be found not guilty.

Li was bailed on the removal order issue and will appear in the Auckland District Court on Monday.

His passport had earlier been surrendered.

- NZPA