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Clayton Weatherston - Source: ONE News -
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Emotions spilled over in the murder trial of Clayton Weatherston
in Christchurch on Thursday as letters he wrote after his arrest
were read to the court.
The university tutor is accused of killing Sophie Elliott by
stabbing her more than 200 times.
A former girlfriend of the accused, who has name supression, read a letter she sent him while he was in jail.
"This will be a rough ride, you'll be ok," she read.
As Weatherston's ex-girlfriend began to cry, there were tears
from Clayton Weatherston too. His lawyer had to take over reading a
letter he had written back.
"I'm nervous about court on Thursday and I'm annoyed my side will
not be made public," the letter, from just days after he stabbed
Elliott to death, read.
The woman, who had been Weatherston's girlfriend for three years, said she had written to him before she knew the extent of Elliott's injuries.
"When I found out what had gone on...I couldn't believe it and I wouldn't have written a letter," she said.
She also told the defence about the night Weatherston attacked
her and kicked her across a room.
"Just before he kicked me he said 'you ungrateful bitch'."
She agreed he was stressed and on anti-depressants at the time.
Just after the court adjourned, one of the jurors collapsed in the jury room.
A doctor in the court's public gallery gave the juror medical assistance before he was taken away by an ambulance.
"We will get a report from the hospital after they have been able to assess his condition," Justice Potter said.
If he is too unwell to continue, the court will reconvene at 10am on Friday with a jury of just 11.
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