"Lighten up on Clayton Weatherston: Sophie was no saint" by Kerre ohoWmad (July 8, 2009)

Lighten up on Clayton Weatherston: Sophie was no saint
July 8, 2009

I've written before about a high-profile knifing (Bruce Emery lashing
out at a piece of lowlife) and a celebrity
spine-kicking (my brilliant colleague Tony Veitch lashing out at a
real pain who just would not leave his
condominium when he told her to). In both cases, I and my colleagues
at NewstalkZB weighed the evidence soberly and carefully, and came out
firmly on the side of the assailants. Our brave and principled stance
was criticised by the usual assortment of malcontents and
complainers---you know, the "P.C. brigade". So I have no
doubt that my following comments will come under criticism from the
usual suspects. BUT, QUITE FRANKLY MY DEARS, I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S
BOTTOM.

For I wish to speak on the vexed case of Clayton Weatherston, who is
currently facing a murder rap for
lashing out at a bimbo who came at him with a pair of scissors. And
she used foul language.

The courtroom evidence shows that Clayton was provoked by the pain of
his tumultuous relationship with his former
girlfriend Sophie Elliott. But there seems to be little
acknowledgement of Clayton's psychic pain if you go by the
way the media (other than NewstalkZB) is portraying this trial. As far
as most journos are concerned, the only
thing that matters is the fact that Clayton lashed out at her. Okay,
okay--lashed out with a knife.

But let's not forget that she came at him with a pair of scissors at
one stage of their relationship. Okay, okay,
okay---she didn't actually HARM him at all. But the question remains:
if she was so perfect, as we are
told, what on EARTH was she doing attacking her boyfriend with a pair
of scissors?

And there's another thing: as her cold fish of a mother admitted to
defence counsel, Sophie was SWEARING at
Clayton when he was lashing out at her.

Yes. yes, yes, of course he shouldn't have stabbed her more than 200
times. There is, MAYBE, a case for saying Clayton's response was
disproportionate. I suppose it's fair enough to say he over-reacted.
But he over-reacted for a reason. Just like poor Bruce Emery and the
much-maligned Tony Veitch over-reacted.

As was the case with Bruce Emery, and with Tony, there were reasons
for Clayton lashing out. If someone came at
ME with a pair of scissors, using foul language, I'd stab her THREE
hundred times, not just two hundred!

Anyway, whatever happens sentencing-wise, Clayton Weatherston can rest
assured that there's at least ONE
radio station that's on his side.

Speak to ya tonight, guys!

NewstalkZB. Tune Your Mind.

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