A close friend of slain Canberra punk rocker Nicholas Sofer-Schreiber has told a court the thought his killer could one day walk free from jail was an "absolutely terrifying" reality.
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Christopher David Navin, 29, was acquitted of murdering Mr Sofer-Schreiber after an ACT Supreme Court trial in December last year.
But a jury found him guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility over the violent death of his former housemate at his Lyneham home on Boxing Day in 2013.
The defence argued Navin was not guilty by way of mental impairment as he suffered from a severe psychosis when he inflicted 73 stab wounds on Mr Sofer-Schreiber in an attack which lasted "tens of minutes".
Navin later drove north to a family property near Grafton where he burnt evidence, including two knives he later threw in a dam.
He was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and has received treatment in prison.
Navin claimed he killed Mr Sofer-Schreiber in a pre-emptive strike as he believed the 27-year-old was involved in his grandfather's death and had hired a hitman to kill more members of his family.
He now faces a maximum of 20 years behind bars and a sentencing hearing was held before Justice John Burns on Tuesday.
In a victim impact statement, one of Mr Sofer-Schreiber's best friends spoke of the pain his loved ones had experienced as a result of his death and Navin's court proceedings and said no verdict could bring him back.
"The thought of Chris walking the streets one day is an absolutely terrifying reality," he said.
"It is utterly unimaginable what feelings I and all those close to Nicky would have the day Chris is a free man."
Mr Sofer-Schreiber's cousin, who became his guardian after both his parents died, recalled hearing the "unbelievable and shocking" news he was dead.
"Nick's death has left a huge whole in my heart, and everyone's hearts who knew him.
"A beautiful life has been taken from us and there is no remedy to heal our pain and suffering."
She said it was harrowing to think of Mr Sofer-Schreiber's suffering and she imagined the fear and terror he must have felt in his final moments.
Prosecutor Margaret Jones argued the sheer violence of the killing placed it at the upper end of seriousness and the gravity of the offence warranted a sentence close to the maximum penalty.
"The killing in this case cannot be described as anything other than extremely violent."
She said the slaying was premeditated and Navin was an adept liar who had hidden symptoms of his illness from family members and mental health workers.
That Navin destroyed evidence indicated he knew what he did was wrong and showed he was capable of being highly deceptive, Ms Jones argued.
She said that did not bode well for the safety of the community if he was released.
Defence barrister Stuart Littlemore told the court Navin had been in jail for two years and had largely been compliant and open about his condition.
Forensic psychiatrist Stephen Allnut said there was strong motivation for Navin to be compliant around the time of his trial and it was important that behaviour continued.
He said it would not be appropriate for Navin to be released into the community at this time and he would likely require a lengthy period of psychiatric rehabilitation.
Navin's treating psychiatrist Anthony Barker said he was doing well and appeared to be experiencing fewer hallucinations and delusions.
He said Navin had expressed remorse for his actions and had told him Mr Sofer-Schreiber's death was "a great tragedy for everyone involved".
Another forensic psychiatrist, Professor David Greenberg, recommended a thorough and comprehensive assessment and risk management plan to protect both Navin and the community when he was eventually released.
Justice Burns will hand down his sentence at a later date.
