A university lecturer who stabbed his wife to death after a heated argument about their son's kindergarten arrangements will spend up to 24 years behind bars.
Adam Brown, 41, a former Deakin University digital media lecturer who also taught gender studies, last year admitted the murder of his wife Chen Cheng, 35, at their home in Melbourne's east in 2022.
The couple began arguing in an upstairs bedroom of their Croydon North unit, on the evening of April 30, and then moved downstairs to the kitchen, where Brown claimed they both grabbed knifes.
Neighbours heard Cheng scream "help me, help me, he's trying to kill me" before she died, and Brown telling her "stop", "get down", "shut up".
The fight moved to the backyard, where the couple struggled on the grass over a knife. Brown stabbed Cheng several times, including large wounds to her neck and chest.
Neighbours knocked on the door until Brown let them inside.
They found Cheng, bleeding with her body lying lifeless on the grass.
One of the neighbours, a nurse, tried to perform CPR on Cheng.
Paramedics arrived and declared her dead at the scene about 10.40pm.
Brown was dressed in a suit and tie as he appeared at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, where he learned his fate.
Justice John Champion sentenced him to 24 years in prison for the "savage and sustained attack" on his wife while their two-year-old son was in the same house.
The judge rejected Brown's claims to police that the couple had stabbed each other during the fight.
Brown had only sustained minor injuries, whereas Cheng received multiple stab wounds including deep cuts to her neck and chest.
"Ms Cheng fought for her life against your attack on her ... she was terrified of what was occurring," Justice Champion said.
Brown has already served more than a year of his sentence and will be eligible for parole after 17-and-a-half years.
He waved to his family and friends in court, as he was escorted out to a prison van.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
