WHITE PLAINS, New York (AP) – A former security worker who once worked in Jamaica as a policeman was convicted yesterday of killing a bank machine technician in an attempt to rob the money machines at a bank.

Paul Douglas, 33, was found guilty of murder and attempted bank robbery by a federal jury in White Plains, just north of New York City, and faces up to life in prison when sentenced January 31. Prosecutors had decided against seeking the death penalty.

Douglas was accused of attacking Milton Moran Jr, 29, at a Citibank in Yonkers when Moran arrived to service the automatic teller machines on April 22, 2004. Moran was found dead in the trunk of his car, bound and gagged with duct tape. The medical examiner said he was beaten and suffocated.

Moran’s relatives applauded and shouted “Yes!” when the verdict was read. His father, Milton Moran Sr, said, “I thank God that Douglas is not going to get away with this horrendous murder. … I want him to get life without parole. I think he would suffer more than with the death penalty.”

Witnesses reported seeing a man drag Moran’s body to his car and lift it into the trunk, and Douglas admitted he was that man. But he claimed in court that the killing was carried out by another man, who forced him to participate in the crime by threatening to harm his girlfriend and son.

The man, whom Douglas could not identify, also extorted tens of thousands of dollars from him, Douglas testified. He said that when the man learned that Douglas had once been a Brinks Security Services employee, he forced him to help with the robbery attempt.

On cross-examination, prosecutor Stephen Ritchin mockingly referred to the “mystery man” and repeatedly reminded Douglas that he had been a policeman in his native Jamaica for 6 1/2 years and had several opportunities to escape any such scheme.

After the killing, Douglas fled to Florida, where he eventually surrendered to police in Coral Springs.