Christchurch mosque gunman sentenced to life without parole
● No emotion from killer after longest prison term in New Zealand history
The white supremacist who slaughtered 51 worshippers at two New Zealand mosques was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole – the first time the maximum available sentence has been imposed in the country.
Judge Cameron M and er said the crimes committed by 29-year-old Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant were so wicked that a lifetime in jail could not begin to atone for them.
He said they had caused enormous loss and hurt and stemmed from a warped and malignant ideology.
“Your actions were inhuman ,” Judge M anders aid. “You deliberately killed a three-year-old infant by shooting him in the head as he clung to the leg of his father.”
After the sentence was announced, survivors of the shootings raised hands and fist sin celebration and greeted supporters waving signs with painted hearts and carrying roses outside the court building.
The March 2019 attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch shocked New Zealand and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons. They also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook.
During the four-day sentencing hearing, 90 survivors and family members recounted the horror of that day and the trauma they continue to feel. One of those who spoke was Temel Atacocugu, who survived being shot nine times during the attack at the Al Noor mosque.
Mr Ataco cugu said he felt relieved at the sentence.
“Finally we can breathe freely, and we feel secure, and my kids feel secure,” Mr Atacocugu said. “The justice system has locked up this ideol
ogy forever.” Tarrant pleaded guilty in March to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism, reversing his earlier not-guilty pleas.
He fired his lawyers and told the judge he didn’t wish to speak at his sentencing. A standby lawyer appointed by the court told the judge Tarrant did not oppose the maximum sentence.
The judge said Tar rant recently told a psychiatrist that he now rejects his extremist views and considers his
attacks “abhorrent and irrational”.
But Judge Mander said he was sceptical Tar rant had abandoned his ideology, especially considering the gunman told police after the attacks he wished he had killed more people. Mr M anders aid Tarrant had shown no em pathy toward his victims and remained detached and selfcentered.
Tar rant arrived in New Zealand in 2017, never sought work and began planning for his attack by stockpiling highpowered weapons and joining shooting clubs, the judge said.
“It appears that while travelling in Europe you developed deep-seated radical views regarding the migrant population of some western countries,” the judge said.
Tarrant flew a drone over the Al No or mosque and researched the layout, according to prosecutors. On the day of the attacks, he drove to the mosques with six guns, including two AR-15S.
“You committed mass murder ,” the judge said .“You slaughtered unarmed and defence less people. You maimed, wounded and crip - pled many others. Your victims include the young and the old, men, women and children.”
Dressed in a grey prison tracksuit, Tarrant showed little emotion during his fourday sentencing. He watched the speakers, occasionally giving a small nod or covering his mouth as he laughed at jokes, often made at his expense.
He did not show the brazenness he did a this first court appearance the day after the attacks.