The killer of New Zealand nurse Michelle Beets has been sentenced to life in prison.
Former US marine Walter Marsh, 51, received a life sentence in a Sydney courtroom today for murdering his former boss on the doorstep of her Sydney home.
He was convicted in November of employing a military technique in a revenge killing in which he slashed Ms Beet's throat and repeatedly stabbed her in the chest.
Marsh had worked with Ms Beets at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital until his contract was not renewed in early 2010.
A six-and-a-half week trial presented evidence of Walsh's plan to kill his former boss as he believed she was blocking his path to a new job and continued life in Australia.
He failed to find a job after his contract with the Royal North Shore Hospital was terminated. Marsh also believed he was at risk of not getting a new American passport because he owed his first wife up to US$50,000 (NZ$61470) in child support.
Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi, QC described the killing as the "most horrific, violent and terrifying death''.
