The father of murdered student Sophie Elliott is appalled at the scene of an appeal for the man convicted of her murder. Clayton Weatherston, 33, was jailed for a minimum of 18 years in September after a jury found him guilty of killing Ms Elliott, his former girlfriend, in January 2008.
The former Otago University tutor admitted stabbing Ms Elliott 216 times, but argued he had been aggravated. He was found guilty of murder in July after a month-long trial.
His lawyers today lodged an appeal against his confidence with the Court of Appeal. Wellington lawyer Robert Lithgow QC said he had been asked to go over the Weatherston file and provide an opinion as to which grounds could be used for an appeal.
He told Radio New Zealand there had been a "lynch mob" attitude and media frenzy surrounding the trial. Ms Elliott's father, Gil Elliott, said he was surprised to hear about the appeal and believed it would be a frivolous exercise.
useful links: transport rankings
The former Otago University tutor admitted stabbing Ms Elliott 216 times, but argued he had been aggravated. He was found guilty of murder in July after a month-long trial.
His lawyers today lodged an appeal against his confidence with the Court of Appeal. Wellington lawyer Robert Lithgow QC said he had been asked to go over the Weatherston file and provide an opinion as to which grounds could be used for an appeal.
He told Radio New Zealand there had been a "lynch mob" attitude and media frenzy surrounding the trial. Ms Elliott's father, Gil Elliott, said he was surprised to hear about the appeal and believed it would be a frivolous exercise.
useful links: transport rankings
No comments:
Post a Comment