The long-running trial for the man accused in the death of eight-year-old Victoria "Tori" Stafford has reached a dramatic conclusion.

Jurors found Michael Rafferty guilty Friday of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual assault causing bodily harm.

Throughout the trial, the Crown maintained the 31-year-old Rafferty and his former girlfriend Terri-Lynne McClintic kidnapped Tori outside her school in Woodstock, Ont., then drove her to an isolated area where she was raped and killed with a hammer in April 2009.

Rafferty had pleaded not guilty to all charges. McClintic, who already pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Tori's death, was considered a crucial witness in the Crown's case against Rafferty.

Here is a timeline of key events in the case:

  • April 8, 2009: On her way home from school, Tori Stafford is approached and led away by a woman claiming she wants to show the girl her dog. Court would later hear that the woman is Terri-Lynne McClintic.

  • April 12: Hundreds of people gather for a candlelight vigil in Tori's hometown of Woodstock, Ont. to pray for the young girl's safe return.
  • The Ontario Provincial Police launch the largest ground search in Canadian history.
  • Tori's mother, Tara McDonald, maintains her daughter has been abducted; she holds regular updates in front of her Woodstock home. At the same time she becomes a target of criticism. Rumours circulate in the community that she may know what happened.
  • May 20: Eighteen-year-old McClintic and 28-year-old Michael Rafferty are both charged with Tori's abduction and murder. Tori's body is still missing.
  • July 21: Tori's remains are found under a pile of rocks near Mount Forest, Ont.
  • April 30, 2010: McClintic pleads guilty to first-degree murder. She will later testify against Rafferty, who pleads not guilty.
  • March 5, 2012: The trial begins in London, Ont. McClintic testifies that she killed Tori Stafford but the abduction was Rafferty's idea.
  • April 26: The Crown wraps its case against Rafferty.
  • May 11: A jury finds Rafferty guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping, as well as sexual assault causing bodily harm.

With a report from CTV News