CONVICTED murderer Rushon Hamilton will know on December 17 if he will be sentenced to life or face the death penalty.

The prosecution has given notice to the defence of their intention to seek the death penalty at the hearing.

Meanwhile, the defence has said that it will be appealing today’s conviction.

The team is led by Valerie Neita-Robertson and Peter Champagnie.

Hamilton was today convicted of the murder of Jhaneel Goulbourne, the 14-year-old girl he's alleged to have had a sexual relationship with.

Jurors returned with the guilty verdict at 2:55, three hours after starting deliberations.

Hamilton had been on trial for the past four weeks for the murder of the girl, who was abducted from her Harbour View, St Andrew home on October 24, 2008.

She has not been heard from since.

Her abduction followed the filing of a complaint that led to Hamilton being charged with carnal abuse.