Christchurch killer who murdered 51 people at two mosques in 2019 appeals his life sentence
Sylvie Claire / November 8, 2022
The Australian white supremacist who murdered 51 people at two New Zealand mosques in 2019 has appealed his life sentence, a court official told AFP on Tuesday.
In March 2019, Brenton Tarrant used an arsenal of semi-automatic weapons to shoot down worshippers attending Friday prayers at two mosques in Christchurch, southern New Zealand, in cold blood, broadcasting live footage of his attack on social media. His victims were all Muslims and included children, women and the elderly.
He was sentenced in August 2020 to life in prison without parole -- a first in New Zealand -- after pleading guilty to the 51 murders, 40 attempted murders and one terrorist act.
"An appeal against the convictions and sentence has been filed," Liz Kennedy, a spokeswoman for the judge's office, announced Tuesday.
At the sentencing, Judge Cameron Mander said he would give the killer "the most severe punishment possible" for his "inhumane" actions.
"Your crimes are so cruel that even if you are detained until you die, that will not satisfy the need for punishment," Mander said.
Tony Ellis, Tarrant's lawyer, said his client said he admitted to the crime under duress and "decided that the easiest thing to do was to plead guilty.