Man Stabs Lover 216 Times: Could He Only be Charged with Manslaughter?
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So as not to be held in contempt of court as the result of a trial that is still running, this piece only presents the facts and lets you the reader make up their own mind about the outcome.
The Facts:
January 9, 2008 sees 22 year old University of Otago student Sophie Elliot killed after being inflicted with no less than 216 stab wounds to various areas of her body in her Dunedin, New Zealand family home.
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The accused, 33 year old University of Otago lecturer of Economics Clayton Robert Weatherston is charged with her murder after the lovers argue and he then allegedly stabs Sophie Elliot 216 times in her own bedroom with a simple kitchen knife and a pair of scissors.
Image via Wikipedia
Sophie Elliot’s mother tries to intervene after hearing the commotion but is unable to enter the room as the accused has it locked. She manages to break the door down and witnesses the accused straddling the victim on the bedroom floor whilst continuously stabbing her. The accused seems to be in a trance like state but is able to push Sophie Elliot’s mother back out of the room and continue his assault.
June 14, 2009 sees Clayton Weatherston on trial for the murder of Sophie Elliot where he pleads not guilty to her murder but admits he killed her but only because he was provoked. The defence plans its case around the fact that Sophie Elliot provokes Clayton Weatherston into her death and therefore the sentence of manslaughter is argued for.
The Trial
The defence claims Sophie Elliot is clingy, controlling and constantly needs attention from Clayton Weatherston.
They also claim Mr Weatherston is made to feel inept by Miss Elliot with regard to sex, the size of his penis in comparison to an ex-boyfriend and that Elliot initiates the assault by rushing at Mr Weatherston with the scissors.
Evidence arises about Mr Weatherston’s psychological state and the fact that he is involved in counselling for stress related matters.
These amongst other things suggest Mr Weatherston should be sentenced not with murder but manslaughter.
The Crown claims that Mr Weatherston’s attack is premeditated as the accused arrives at Miss Elliots house with the knife in his laptop bag and is checking her Facebook profile just minutes before killing the honours student.
They also say the stab wounds target particular areas of the body, namely the sexual organs and that he disfigures her face and cuts her hair.
They say Mr Weatherston is excessively competitive in all types of relationships and wants to be number one.
The Crown says he murdered Sophie Elliot and should be sentenced accordingly.
These points only outline a very complex case and these amongst a host of others are being analysed in the Christchurch High Court at present.
Murder or manslaughter? We can only await the outcome.
12 Comments
Good Article RJ, will be interesting to see the outcome.
Well. Who says Kiwi land is a land of peace and joy? Some story. God, she must have been some lover.
Nice Write . j
Murder is what it is in my eyes, no matter the provocation. Some governments around the world seem to think that stealing money warrants more time than killing someone…this only goes to show what people truly think has more value than the other. If people are allowed to kill and are not given the proper punishment for their crimes, it might as well be said that life has no real value or measure of importance, atleast not compared to money.
Great article that highlights some very important issues.
This is awful. It looks like murder to me, but in an attempt to give everyone a fair trial, the courts often favour the perpetrator and not the victim.
I my god this is horrendous. It amazes me that people are capable of doing things like this.
I think she\’s better off without him. Perhaps on her facebook she was telling friends of his sexual prowess. Murder? I hardly think a cold calculated kill would occur in the house, with the mother at home.He didn\’t harm the mother I presume?
Crime of passion in my book.
This is nuts…great article though.
OMG, this person had to be absolutely nuts, but there is not excuse for that kind of action. Murder all the way.
What a terrible story…
This is just sick! what is the world turning into?
This world is full of mad people! This one must be taken for lethal injection without question-he had a criminal mind.
Oh, hope that problem would be addressed soon.