The fate of the man accused of the brutal rape and murder of a North Salem teenager is in the hands of a jury Thursday.

According to police, 28-year-old Ariel Menendez raped, strangled and stabbed to death his ex-girlfriend, 17-year-old Elizabeth Butler, on June 5, 2005. Butler?s body was discovered by her parents in her car in Croton Falls. Throughout the trial, the prosecution contended Menendez killed and raped Butler because she had broken off a relationship with him. The defense says the prosecution failed to prove its case. The defense also claims the sex between the two was consensual.

Menendez is charged with first-degree murder, rape and sexual assault. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The jury was dismissed for the holiday weekend and will be sequestered when they begin deliberations on May 30.

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