Judgment has been reserved in the case of Clayton Weatherston, who is appealing to have his murder conviction quashed.
The 34-year-old former Otago University tutor was found guilty of stabbing former girlfriend Sophie Elliott more than 200 times at her parents home in Dunedin.
But his lawyers have argued his trial was unfair and contaminated by public and media debate over the defence of provocation which no longer exists.
He claimed to have been acting in self defence when 22-year-old Ms Elliott came at him with scissors.
Sophie's mother Lesley says she's not surprised by Weatherston's appeal.
The Appeal Court judges reserved their decision.
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