Family will continue to love their son

Roger Weatherston said the family was shocked at what Clayton had done and felt for the Elliotts. Photo / Otago Daily Times

The Weatherston family gave an emotional statement outside the High Court at Christchurch after their son and brother Clayton Weatherston was found guilty of the murder of Sophie Elliott yesterday.

Roger Weatherston's voice cracked with emotion as he read the statement in which the family said they still loved their brother and son and would continue to do so.

They were shocked by what he had done and sad they had not recognised he needed help, because he clearly did, Mr Weatherston said.

"Our thoughts are very much with the Elliott family and their tremendous loss."

Weatherston stood impassively in the dock and neither he nor his family showed any reaction as the verdict was read out.

As Justice Judith Potter left the court a sense of empathy overwhelmed those who gathered to hear the verdict.

Defence lawyer Greg King walked over and shook Mr Elliott's hand and outside the court room Weatherston's lead lawyer Judith Ablett-Kerr hugged both Mr and Mrs Elliott.

Mrs Elliott and Yuleen Weatherston, Weatherston's mother, also exchanged a hug before the Weatherston family left in the lift.

The jury foreman exchanged a word and a handshake with Gil Elliott and several members of the Elliott family thanked him.

Miss Elliott's cousin Linda Curtis said after Mrs Ablett-Kerr's closing speech the family had been "really worried" the justice system was not going to be able to provide them with any sort of justice.

Manslaughter would never have been enough.

"But there is justice after all."

In a brief statement Otago University vice-chancellor Professor David Skegg said: "This crime has been a tragedy which has caused much grief. The university community will be relieved that the trial is over. We feel deep sympathy for all those affected."

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES