California man accused of throwing new wife off cliff convicted of first-degree murder

Calif. man convicted of throwing wife off cliff

TORRANCE, Calif. — A 28-year-old man accused of throwing his new wife off a Southern California cliff has been convicted of murder.

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated about a day before finding Jason Manai of Torrance guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday.

Prosecutors alleged that Manai threw Julie Rosas off a Rancho Palos Verdes cliff in July 2005 because she wanted to annul their marriage. The two had been married for 13 days.

Manai denied being at the cliff top, but cellular phone records placed him there.

He faces 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced Feb. 9.