The truck used by Saipov in his attack. Source : Wikimedia Commons (Used under Creative Commons)
Sayfullo Saipov, an Islamic extremist who killed eight people in New York on Halloween 2017 could face the death penalty.
Saipov, 34, used a truck to go on a rampage, where he killed eight people on a popular bike path.
He was convicted of 28 federal crimes in Manhattan.
New York Deputy Police Commissioner John Miller, in 2017, said the Halloween bike path rampage was inspired by Islamic State videos that Saipov watched online.
“He appears to have followed almost exactly the instructions that ISIS has put out on its social media channels to its followers.” Mr Miller said.
The trial jurors took nearly seven hours to deliberate, which took place over two days.
The jury convicted Saipov of crimes including murder in aid of racketeering and supporting a foreign terrorist organisation.
They will return to court to hear more evidence, which would help decide if Saipov will be given the death penalty or not.
The death sentence is no longer a practice in New York, which would make it a rare occurrence is Saipov is given the death penalty.
Saipov’s lawyers said that he rented a truck near his home, then took it to the bike path along the Hudson River, where he sped for blocks before crashing into a school bus near the World Trade Center.
The attack killed a Belgian tourist, five Argentinian friends, and two Americans.
Others who were victims of the attack were left seriously, and permanently injured, including amputations.
Defence attorney David Patton said the attack was “horrific”.
“[Saipov’s] actions were senseless, horrific, and there’s no justification for them.” Mr Patton said.
The defence also asked for Saipov to be acquitted of racketeering, as he “intended to die a martyr” and, despite yelling “God is good” in Arabic once exiting the truck, he was not collaborating with Islamic State.
