An argument over childcare arrangements escalated into a deadly act of domestic violence in which a Melbourne man stabbed his wife to death in their eastern suburbs home.
The Supreme Court on Friday heard details of how Chen Cheng, 35, was murdered by her husband Adam Brown, who taught gender studies and was a digital media lecturer at Deakin University.
During a pre-sentence hearing, the court heard how neighbours in Croydon North heard screams coming from the couple's unit on the evening of April 30, 2022.
Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers said Ms Cheng was heard crying out "please stop", "please help" and "he's trying to kill me".
When Brown opened the garage door, neighbours who had gathered outside the unit saw Ms Cheng's bloodied body in the backyard.
Brown told them that his wife had come at him with a knife during an argument, and that they had both stabbed each other.
Dr Rogers said Ms Cheng had suffered multiple stab wounds, including three to the neck and chest. Those at the scene attempted to perform CPR but were unable to save her life.
Brown, 40, also sustained minor injuries.
Ms Cheng was described by her mother Liu Min as the "diamond and hope" of their family in China.
Ms Liu, whose translated victim impact statement was read out in court, said the devastation of losing her only child "was like a spear piercing through my heart".
"How could he be so cruel?" she said.
"After Chen was killed, I became fearful of the arrival of night. I could hear my daughter calling out helplessly, 'Mum help, Mum help'."
Brown's lawyer David Hallowes said his client was "deeply sorry" and pleaded guilty to murder early in the legal process.
"He understands saying sorry will never be enough. There are no words that can properly acknowledge the grief he has caused," Mr Hallowes said.
"He inflicted a number of wounds with no excuse."
Brown weeps as details of 'savage attack' read out
Ms Cheng moved to Australia to study, completing a masters of construction at the University of Melbourne. She met Brown in 2016 and the pair married in China the following year.
Brown, a social media expert who was described by his lawyer as "a dedicated and respected lecturer", wept in the dock as details about the killing were read out.
He was supported in court by about 15 friends and family members.
When Brown was arrested at the scene, he told police an argument over their young son's childcare was the catalyst for the violence, before the argument moved into the kitchen and a fight broke out.
It was there prosecutors allege Ms Cheng was first stabbed, before she was attacked during a further struggle in the backyard.
Two bloodied knives were located in the home, with DNA from both Brown and Ms Cheng found on the items.
Justice John Champion noted there was a "disparity" between the injuries suffered by the victim and the accused.
"It was a pretty savage attack, wasn't it?" he asked Mr Hallowes.
"Yes, your honour," the defence barrister replied.
Brown pleaded guilty to murder in September 2022, four months after the killing.
Prosecutors said the couple's relationship had grown increasingly turbulent, something that led Ms Cheng's mother to regularly call to check in on her.
But Brown's lawyer said while they did have arguments, there was no history of violence before the fatal incident.
"When one looks at his character … how does it come that someone like that can commit the actions that he did on that day?" Mr Hallowes said.
Mr Hallowes said his client did not want to make excuses for his actions, but argued their relationship was under strain because of Ms Cheng's ongoing mental health issues, difficulties in caring for their child and the death of his own brother.
"It's clear Adam Brown was struggling to cope," Mr Hallowes said.
Mr Hallowes said character references tendered by supporters were at odds with a man who committed murder.
"They paint a picture of someone very different to the person who committed the offences he did," Mr Hallowes said.
Brown has been in custody since the murder, with a psychiatrist noting he was "tortured with feelings of guilt and anguish in respect of the offence".
He will be sentenced at a later date.
