#1
#1 out of 1
crime14h ago
Man who murdered 51 in mass shootings blames guilty plea on prison 'conditions'
- Brenton Tarrant appeared in Wellington via video link to challenge his 2020 guilty pleas in the Christchurch mosque attacks.
- He contends prison conditions deteriorated his mental health, rendering him unable to make informed decisions when pleading guilty.
- The appeal asks whether prison conditions were torturous and inhumane enough to invalidate the guilty pleas or merit a new trial.
- If the appeals court does not overturn the pleas, a later hearing may review the sentence.
- Victims’ families attended the Wellington court, expressing frustration with the lengthy legal process.
- Tarrant’s case marks the first time a New Zealand court has sentenced someone to life with no parole after the Christchurch attacks.
- The Christchurch attacks occurred during Friday prayers in 2019, livestreamed on social media.
- The appeal hearing is scheduled to last five days and may determine whether the guilty pleas stand.
- If the plea overturn is denied, the next step would involve evaluating the sentencing in 2026 proceedings.
- The attack in 2019 remains the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand's history.
Vote 0