Lawyer says CBD murderer Christopher Wayne Hudson was handed a raw deal

CHRISTOPHER Wayne Hudson should spend less time in jail as other murderers have been given lower sentences, his lawyer claims.

CBD killer Christopher Wayne Hudson should have his sentence slashed because other murderers have been given less time behind bars, his lawyer claims.

Triple killer Paul Denyer, double schoolgirl killer Lindsay Beckett, police murderer Jason Roberts and gangland killer Carl Williams committed similar or worse crimes, the Court of Appeal was told. But all had shorter non-parole sentences.

Hudson, who killed solicitor and father of three Brendan Keilar and seriously injured two others in a burst of gunfire in Melbourne in 2007, is appealing against his minimum 35-year jail term.

Mr Keilar and Dutch backpacker Paul de Waard were shot by Hudson as they raced to help stripper Kaera Douglas when they saw Hudson pulling her from a taxi during the morning peak hour.

Justice David Ashley, one of three appeal judges, said it was impossible to compare the seriousness of murders.

"Killing a rescuer or an attempted rescuer in a public street at eight o'clock in the morning with many witnesses ... and making sure that the job is done by shooting him when he's collapsed on the ground - why should that be seen to be any less heinous?" he said.

Hudson, who was 29 at the time of the shooting, will be 64 when he becomes eligible for parole.

Defence barrister Paul Holdenson, QC, said Hudson's non-parole term of 35 years was too long and he should have received no more than 30 years.

He said Hudson pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity during his committal hearing. Mr Holdenson said Hudson's remorse should have been taken into account by sentencing judge Paul Coghlan.

Prosecutor John McArdle, QC, said Hudson's crimes were deliberate and the public nature of his crimes made them more serious.

"The offending was calculated and merciless. He had no grievances against these people," he said.

"What grievances he had against Ms Douglas are incomprehensible."

Mr McArdle said the fact Hudson had a gun "smacked of premeditation" and his readiness to use the weapon showed the calculated nature of his actions.

The judges will deliver their judgment at a date to be fixed.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has launched a counter-appeal, seeking to increase the 12-year sentences for the attempted murders of Mr de Waard and Ms Douglas.