Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Christchurch mosque attacks: Terrorist sentenced to life in jail without parole
Warning - This story discusses details of the 15 March Christchurch mosque shootings.
The man who carried out the mosque attacks in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of ever leaving jail.
Australian Brenton Tarrant, 29, has admitted 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one charge of terrorism.
He has received the historic sentence in the High Court at Christchurch today. It marks the first time a convicted person has ever been imprisoned with no possibility of parole.
Many of the victims who have been delivering their harrowing statements in court this week urged the judge to impose the sentence.
The possibility of such a sentence was one of the many complexities facing Justice Mander, the Law Society said earlier this week.
A steady stream of people started entering the High Court from the time the doors opened at 8am today.
White roses were handed out to the victims as they arrived in court. They were donated as a gesture of support from two women.
The last group of 93 victims read their impact statements yesterday afternoon - a marked increase on the 66 that were expected.
Community adviser and former Christchurch city councillor Raf Manji, who delivered some of the impact statements on behalf of the victims, said victims had been empowered by the way the hearing had been handled.
"In the end it has been a real healing process for a lot of people," Manji said.
The session today began with the Crown making its submissions before Pip Hall QC, who has been on standby, made submissions on behalf of Tarrant.
Late yesterday it emerged that Tarrant, who is representing himself, would not address the judge to offer any mitigating factors to explain the motivation behind his crimes.
More to come...
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
Daily wellbeing actions from the Mental Health Foundation
Covid-19 mental health and wellbeing resources
More RNZ coverage:
- Widows of Shuhada: A podcast about widows of the victims
- RNZ's Living Wall of tributes
- Linwood Mosque didn't let fear swallow them
- 'A loner with a lot of money' - A look into the Christchurch mosque gunman's past
- 'Why, simply why': A chance for victims to look mass killer in the eyes
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
Binoy Kampmark: Warring Against Encryption, Australia Is Coming For Your Communications
Gordon Campbell: On Fast Track Powers, Media Woes And The Tiktok Ban
Binoy Kampmark: Censorship Wars, Elon Musk, Safety Commissioners And Violent Content
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
Ramzy Baroud: NATO’s Never-ending War: The 75-Year-Old Bully Is Faltering
Eugene Doyle: Joining AUKUS Not In NZ’s National Interest