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After a four-day depositions hearing, former University of Otago lecturer Clayton Weatherston has been committed for trial after pleading not guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend Sophie Elliott.
Weatherston, 32, is accused of murdering Miss Elliott, 22, in her Ravensbourne home on January 9. The court heard she was stabbed or cut more than 200 times.
The ruling came after JPs in Dunedin District Court heard from the last of nine witnesses to give evidence.
The written statements and evidence of eight other Crown witnesses, including video footage of Weatherston's police interview, were suppressed at the request of the defence.
Two of Weatherston's former work colleagues from the university's Economics Department gave evidence for the defence.
Associate Professor Paul Hansen and Professor Dorian Owen told the court Weatherston, who had 24 A-plus passes and one A, had the most impressive academic record they had seen.
They testified that Weatherston, who recently graduated with his PhD, was pleasant, an "exceptional student", a good teacher and someone graduate students had looked up to.
Dr Hansen said he had overheard an argument between Miss Elliott and Weatherston in Weatherston's office two days before her death. He had counselled an "exasperated" Weatherston afterwards to "chill out" and hold out until the Friday, when Miss Elliott was expected to leave Dunedin to take up a job in Wellington. Weatherston had agreed he would do that, he said.
To defence counsel Judith Ablett-Kerr, Dr Hansen and Professor Owen said they believed Weatherston had a chance at a lectureship he had wanted, as he was one of six or seven applicants who were shortlisted for three positions.
Miss Elliott's former workmate Erin van de Water said some of Miss Elliott's last words to her were that Weatherston was acting "like a loon" following an argument between them two days before her death.
She said Miss Elliott had told her many times about things Weatherston had said that made her unhappy, but still thought good things about him.
"She wouldn't not have seen good in anybody."
Constable John Cunningham told the court he was the first policeman to enter Miss Elliott's bedroom after the stabbing. Details of what he saw and his ensuing discussion with Weatherston were suppressed at the request of Mrs Ablett-Kerr.
Earlier in the week, Crown lawyer Robin Bates introduced the conversations during a summary of evidence to be presented during the hearing .
He said Mr Cunningham would give evidence that when he entered the bedroom he asked Weatherston what he had done. Weatherston told Mr Cunningham: "I've killed her", in a calm, normal tone, Mr Bates said.
Mr Cunningham then asked Weatherston why, and he said: "Because of the emotional pain she has caused me over the past year."
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
