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Clayton Weatherston - Source: ONE News -
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Clayton Weatherston has been found guilty of murder for stabbing his former student and girlfriend Sophie Elliott to death.
The tears were flowing before the verdict was even read out in the High Court in Christchurch court, all eyes on the jury of 11 as they filed into the room.
"It doesn't get away the grief we have for the loss of Soph. And that's really sad but it does put the ugliness perhaps behind us," says Lesley Elliott, Sophie Elliott's mother outside court just minutes after the verdict the family had been hoping for.
The jury found Weatherston guilty of murder for stabbing Sophie Elliott 216 times in her Dunedin home in January last year.
There was no reaction at all on the face of convicted murderer Weatherston.
Robbed of their daughter 18 months ago, the Elliotts finally feel that justice has been done.
"We're so pleased with the verdict but it doesn't bring our lovely daughter back," says Gil Elliott, Sophie's father.
They say the greatest pain was watching her killer on the stand for five long days, adding to that pain, the defence of provocation.
"There were three of us there. And that was Sophie who's not alive, Clayton and myself. And I know what went on in that room. I have absolutely no doubt at all. There was no provocation at that time. It was awful," says Lesley Elliott.
Weatherston's family has also been in court every day, they too coming to terms with the verdict.
"We love him very much and will continue to do so. We were shocked with what he did and couldn't understand it as it was out of character with the person we know," says Roger Weatherston, Clayton Weatherston's father.
He had words for their son and his victims.
"We are very sad that we did not recognise that Clayton needed the help he clearly does and hope that now at least he will receive it. Our thoughts are very much with the Elliott family and their tremendous loss," says Roger Weatherston.
But there was no comment from Weatherston's defence team who fought for a verdict of manslaughter.
And in some ways it will never be concluded for Sophie Elliott's family.
"He's done our family some terrible damage. I just wish he hadn't done the thing he did because it's taken our lives away too," says Ngaire Elliott, aunt.
But they have stayed strong to the end, strong for Sophie.
"Our love for Soph. We had to do it for her. I think she would want to see this day as well," says Lesley Elliott.
There will be at least one more day in court when Sophie's killer is sentenced for his crime on September 15.
