Vic prosecutors want more jail for killer

Prosecutors want a longer jail sentence for a Victorian father who could be released from prison in 12 years' time after stabbing his wife to death.

Brian Robert Browning was in October sentenced to 18 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 14 years, for the 2013 murder of his wife Catherine Elizabeth Browning.

Having already served 660 days by the time he was sentenced, he could be eligible for release on parole in about 12 years.

The director of public prosecutions, who says the term is manifestly inadequate, has appealed Browning's sentence on the basis it is not in line with current sentencing practice, the Court of Appeal heard on Wednesday.

Ms Browning died in her daughter's bed in Skye. That's where she had gone to sleep after attending a Christmas party in 2013.

Browning tapped her on the shoulder to wake her up, early on the morning of December 19.

Then he stabbed her 15 times with a kitchen knife.

When the couple's teenage daughter Amy came running at the sound of her mother's screams, she saw her father holding a knife.

He uttered the word "bitch" before throwing the knife away.

After his arrest, Browning pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife of 21 years.

During his Victorian Supreme Court trial, defence said the former baker's actions were a result of a drug-induced psychosis caused by too many sleeping pills.

Defence told the trial Browning had been taking Restavit, which contains doxylamine, a drug known to have "adverse effects".

Browning was depressed at the prospect of his divorce and had started taking Restavit because he couldn't sleep, the trial heard.

The jury rejected Browning's defence.

Prosecutors and defence will return to court for a hearing later in June.