Dad challenges life sentence for cold blooded killings

A Melbourne man who murdered his daughter and son-in-law in cold blood because they didn't ask his permission to marry has challenged the life sentence he received.

One of the judges who will decide his case says it's difficult to imagine a more callous crime committed against one's own child.

Osman Shaptafaj was ordered to serve at least 35 years behind bars for the murder of 25-year-old Lindita Musai and her husband Veton Musai, 29, on December 31, 2019.

The couple were returning home from a getaway celebrating their first wedding anniversary.

Shaptafaj, who had been estranged from his daughter for eight years, was not asked for permission or invited to the wedding - both things he later said were sore points.

Justice Phillip Priest said it was hard to find anything that mitigated his actions.

"These were cold blooded killings, premeditated (and) carried out for what it seems no better reason than your client's dignity was in some way offended," he told Shaptafaj's barrister Rishi Nathwani on Wednesday.

"It's difficult to imagine a more callous crime committed against one's own child."

Shaptafaj lay in wait for nearly two hours for Lindita and Veton to arrive home on the night he killed them. As they approached their Yarraville front door he shot them in the head.

Justice Stephen Kaye said his actions were not spur of the moment. He had taken out his gun, loaded it, taken extra ammunition, driven to their home and waited.

"He had every chance to desist. He had one-and-a-half-hours. All he could do was think about murdering, cold-bloodedly executing his daughter for no other reason than they'd slighted him," he said.

Mr Nathwani argued the sentence handed to Shaptafaj was manifestly excessive.

He said his client was entitled to a discount for having pleaded guilty, saving the court the expense of a trial, and further turmoil for Lindita and Veton's families.

Shaptafaj was also entitled to a sentencing discount because of his age, his lack of criminal history and a finding that prison would be more difficult for him, he said.

Justice Priest said another way of looking at it was that some killings are so bad that nothing other than life is appropriate.

Prosecutor Diana Piekusis KC said given the enormity of Shaptafaj's crime, and his exceedingly high level of culpability, the sentence was within the range available.

The appeal justices will hand down their decision at a later date.

Outside court Drilon Musai said he hoped people would remember his brother and sister-in-law for who they were, not what happened to them.

"The judges, they seemed understanding and I think they understand the gravity and the heinousness of the crime, so hopefully common sense prevails and we don't have to go through this again," he said.

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