The terrorist responsible for killing 51 worshippers and injuring 40 others in the Christchurch mosque attacks is now preparing to give evidence as he seeks to overturn key aspects of his case, including his conviction, sentence, and guilty plea, Catrin Owen of Stuff has reported.
Brenton Tarrant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the first time such a sentence had been imposed in New Zealand.
But he has since applied to the Court of Appeal for an extension of time to challenge his conviction and sentence and to vacate his guilty plea.
Last year, the Court of Appeal granted permanent name suppression to the lawyers representing Tarrant, accepting arguments that being identified would cause “undue hardship” and pose safety risks. The Supreme Court later upheld that ruling, as reported by Catrin Owen of Stuff.
In 2021, the gunman told his then lawyer that his guilty pleas were made under duress because of alleged mistreatment while he was in custody.
Tarrant is also expected to give evidence in the Coroner’s Court, despite strong opposition from lawyers acting on behalf of the victims’ families, who argue that his involvement would add further distress, as reported by Catrin Owen of Stuff.
The Court of Appeal hearing will run from February 9 to 13, according to Stuff.
His latest legal moves come as families continue to seek closure in the years since the March 15, 2019, terror attack.
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