Sentencing of mosque shooter set

The sentencing of the Christchurch mosque gunman, which has been delayed by the global coronavirus pandemic, will begin on August 24 in the city his terror attack took place — and could last three or more days, it has been confirmed.

Brenton Harrison Tarrant entered shock guilty pleas to all 51 murder charges at a special, hastily arranged High Court hearing in Christchurch on March 26 — the first day of the nationwide Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown.

It meant that shooting survivors, victims, and families were unable to be in court that day.

Since then, the justice system has been seeking a date post-coronavirus restrictions to accommodate everyone who wants to witness the 29-year-old Australian’s final sentencing — including victims and family members out of the country.

In the absence of community virus transmission in New Zealand, the nation’s courts have returned to normal operations, with the public, victims and families able to attend.

In a minute issued by Justice Cameron Mander, the sentencing hearing has been confirmed to start on August 24 at 10am at the High Court in Christchurch.

The court estimates the sentencing process, which will include many victim impact statements and likely traverse aspects of New Zealand law never seen before, will take three days.

Justice Mander says the hearing will “take as long as is necessary”.

However, with New Zealand’s borders staying closed to everyone other than citizens and residents — and “limited exceptions” — some victims and family members who are still out of the country will struggle to make it back to witness the sentencing in person.

In his minute, Justice Mander outlined the extensive efforts of the courts to “assess potential steps to assist victims and family members” to travel to New Zealand to attend.

He also had to weigh up information and advice sourced from support groups and victims’ advisers.

“The added trauma to victims from having to cope with the justice process is a particular concern for the court,” the judge said.

“Some wish to have sentencing completed, while those victims and support people who are overseas have expressed a preference to delay sentencing until they can attend in person.

“Finality and closure is considered by some as the best means of bringing relief to the Muslim community,” Justice Mander said.

A livestream will allow anyone currently based overseas to view and participate in the sentencing hearing.