NOVA.SCOTIA (CBC) - Herbert Hawkins has been found guilty of murdering Shelly Boutilier in his North Sydney home three years ago.

The jury delivered the verdict on Tuesday, after deliberating for about one hour in the morning and five hours the day before.

Boutilier, 48, a mentally handicapped berry picker, was stabbed and strangled with a telephone cord in July 2006.

Hawkins, 33, also of North Sydney, was charged with second-degree murder after a charge of first-degree murder was withdrawn.

The six men and six women of the jury heard from more than 35 witnesses during the trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. A police video was played showing Hawkins repeatedly denying killing Boutilier, though he said he had been in the house.

A conviction of second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence. It will be up to Justice Frank Edwards to decide when Hawkins will be eligible to apply for parole.