By Daniella White
Mildura man John Torney has walked free from court after being found not guilty of the murder of toddler Nikki Francis-Coslovich.
The Supreme Court jury of eight women and four men delivered its verdict just after 2.15pm on Thursday after retiring on Tuesday afternoon.
It found Mr Torney, 32, not guilty of both murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter.
Mr Torney, who wore a suit and tie throughout the two-week trial, was dressed in a black singlet and pants as he left the Mildura courthouse a free man on Thursday afternoon.
John Torney leaves court a free man after being found not guilty of murder on Thursday.Credit: Carmel Zaccone/Sunraysia Daily
Carrying a clear plastic bag of his belongings, he remained silent as he passed through a pack of waiting media.
Nikki was found dead in the roof cavity of her home on August 25 last year.
Mr Torney admitted hiding the child's body in the roof but said it was her mother, his ex-partner Peta-Ann Francis, who had killed her.
A pathologist told the trial that Nikki had been bashed to death and suffered horrific internal injuries.
Nikki Francis-Coslovich's body was found in the roof space of her Mildura home.
Ms Francis, who endured days of cross examination during the trial, was in court with her mother to hear the verdict.
Also in court was Nikki's father Nick Coslovich, along with other family and friends.
Nikki's mother Peta-Ann Francis leaves court on Thursday.Credit: Carmel Zaccone/Sunraysia Daily
Mr Coslovich had been a constant presence during the trial with his trademark bright purple hair in honour of little Nikki.
He made no comment as he left court, except to say he was still "figuring it all out'.
Nikki's father Nick Coslovich, made no comment as he left court, except to say he was still "figuring it all out'. Credit: Carmel Zaccone/Sunraysia Daily
During the trial, defence barrister Julie Condon pointed to several lies Ms Francis had told and changes to her story.
"She's a woman who has spun so many lies, not little lies but big, bad ones," Ms Condon told the jury.
The jury took a day and a half to acquit John Torney.Credit: Carmel Zaccone/Sunraysia Daily
She pointed to Ms Francis' reaction in the triple-0 call where she giggled and stumbled when asked about the last time she had seen her daughter.
The court heard evidence from the department of Health and Human Services that Mr Torney had helped Ms Francis in her parenting of Nikki.
It had found that Nikki was at risk of "significant harm" if left alone with Ms Francis.
Chief Crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert, QC, told the jury in the trial that while both Mr Torney and Ms Francis were self-confessed liars, the prosecution had third party evidence to corroborate its case.
He alleged Mr Torney killed Nikki between 10am and 11am, pointing to the evidence of neighbour Cameron Cross, who heard yells of "No, No, No, No" between 10.30 and 11am.