Meechaiel Criner Found Guilty In Death Of UT-Austin Student

AUSTIN, TX — A jury on Friday found Meechaiel Criner guilty of capital murder in the death of a University of Texas student two years ago, according to reports.

The case stems from the April 2016 killing of dance major Haruka Weiser, who was a freshman at the time of her death. She was killed along a darkened path fronting the portion of Waller Creek that runs through campus.

The verdict comes after the jury reportedly was unable to reach a verdict on Thursday. Deliberations in the murder trial resumed Friday morning.

Criner, 20, has been on trial for the past two weeks in the strangulation and sexual assault of the 18-year-old UT-Austin student from Portland, Ore. who had been studying dance as her major. According to media reports, Criner — a transient youth who was homeless at the time of the killing — cited his troubled upbringing and parental neglect as part of his defense while his lawyer focused on claiming his client did not commit the crime, as the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Following Weiser's death, surveillance camera footage emerged showing Criner near the scene of the murder along the same dimly lighted path at the Waller Creek reach into campus. Firefighters later found Criner burning items in a large container, some of which were found to have belonged to Weiser.

Criner is saved from the death penalty because he was 17 at the time of the killing. But he now faces a life sentence if convicted, with the possibility of parole possible after 40 years served.

Related stories:

DNA Evidence Tossed Out In Murder Case Of UT-Austin Student

UT Austin Stages Vigil Honoring Slain Student Killed On Campus One Year Ago

University of Texas Student, Dance Major, Identified As Homicide Victim

Dangers of Waller Creek Where University of Texas-Austin Student Was Killed Long Known

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