A Florida Man Left A Knife In The Neck Of HIs Former Lover's 11-Year-Old Daughter. Then He Tried To Make It Look Like A Suicide.

A Miami jury believes a man murdered the 11-year-old daughter of his former lover, then tried to make it look like she killed herself.

Miguel Ruiz Lobo was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder and burglary, after a two-week trial for a killing almost nine years ago.

Authorities say Ruiz Lobo, 51, stabbed Martha Guzman in the throat several times in June 2014 at an apartment in the Little Havana neighborhood.

Guzman's mother told the court that she found a knife sticking out of her daughter's neck.

A medical examiner testified a knife was scraped around Guzman's body, with one of her wrists cut to the bone.

Ruiz Lobo told investigators that Guzman was suicidal. But medical experts say the wounds could not have been created by the girl.

A prosecutor added Guzman scratched Ruiz Lobo in self-defense. WPLG-TV reports the girl had green paint on her fingernails.

Police suspect Ruiz Lobo murdered Guzman because his lover had kicked him out of the apartment.

WTVJ reports a sentencing hearing for Ruiz Lobo begins Thursday. He could receive life in prison or the death penalty.

Ruiz Lobo also faced a charge of sexual battery, but prosecutors dropped that before the trial.