Weatherston appeal 'waste of time' - Sophie's mother

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Wed, 06 Apr 2011 7:11a.m. UPDATED 12.05PM

Clayton Weatherston (NZPA file)

Clayton Weatherston (NZPA file)

The family of murdered Dunedin woman Sophie Elliott will be at court today to hear her killer's appeal against his conviction.

Clayton Weatherston stabbed his former girlfriend more than 200 times at her family home in 2008. He was sentenced to 18 years in jail.

Weatherston wasn’t in the Court of Appeal today, but his family was and continue in their support of their son and his defence of provocation.

The Elliots say they want the matter finished so they can take their daughters' belongings home - many of which are still being held as evidence.

“We want to get it over with and move on,” said Sophie’s mother, Lesley Elliott, outside the court today.

Mrs Elliott says she feels the appeal is a waste of time because Weatherston had a “fair trial”.

However, Weatherston’s defence disagrees. They want his 18-year sentence for murder reduced to manslaughter.

They argued he didn’t get a fair trial, largely because of a TVNZ interview with Dr Warren Young, who attacked the entire defence of provocation, which aired during the trial.

They said they judge didn’t instruct the jury to disregard the report until at least a week after it aired.

Weatherston claimed provocation because he alleged Sophie Elliott threatened him with a pair of scissors.

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Comments

13 Jun 2011 10:30p.m.

angenieta wrote:

If he was attacked with scizzors, where are they,why aren't they in court as a piece of evidence, why weren't they found on the scene, If he lost his cool then sophie's mother would have heard it and he wouldn't be so calm and collected after the murder. if he loved sophie, how can he be so calm and collected at the court, where are his sorrow, his emotions about what he has done to the woman he loved. he should be out of his mind of grief. Why does he came with a knife to her house if he hadn't thought about it before, to be able to take a knife with you, you have to plan it. Why taking a knife to your girlfriend if you are not planning to use it. they weren't going to cook together. this can only be pre-meditated. Why can't his parents see that he is sick!!!!

12 Jun 2011 01:52a.m.

franklyn wrote:

the reporter couldn't even utter the words provocation because it's so bloody disgusting he's using that as his defense. Provocation is never premeditated and he carried a knife with him when he went there. Luckily the judges often extend the sentence for spurious appeals

07 Apr 2011 08:12a.m.

Belinda wrote:

I cannot believe this appeal is happening. How can this man sit there and try and blame it on everyone else - but thats what an absolute physcho does - he is complete nutters and this proves it. My heart does out to Sophie's parents, that they are being put through this. He and his family should be ashamed!

06 Apr 2011 09:26p.m.

Redemption wrote:

It is utterly disgusting that I and all other tax payers are paying for this animal to appeal. Who makes these rules up, oh yes the same people that get to defend animals like this and make lots of money doing it. Honestly, give us a referendum on capital punishment, save us all a lot of money and make criminals think before they do and then if they still do it asta la vista...but that would be too easy.

06 Apr 2011 06:05p.m.

mary wrote:

he should be in hell with his daddy cain like father like son .

06 Apr 2011 05:36p.m.

moses wrote:

did he give her a fair trial he sowed for the time hes got in prison no one else.