(AFP): An Australian white supremacist who murdered almost 51 Muslims in last year’s New Zealand mosque shootings will be sentenced next month, court documents revealed.
Brenton Tarrant pleaded guilty earlier this year to 51 charges of murder, 40 charges of attempted murder and one charge of committing a terrorist act. The court documents revealed that the extremists will be sentenced on August 24.
High Court Judge Cameron Mander said, “Now, in the absence of community transmission of the COVID-19 virus in New Zealand, our courts have returned to normal operations,” adding, “The public and, importantly, victims and their families living in New Zealand can attend court sittings.”
Justice Cameron Mander said that the hearing is estimated to last three days, however, it will take as long as is necessary.
The Judge acknowledged that some victims and support people based overseas wanted sentencing delayed so they could attend in person, but pointed out that borders were likely to remain closed for a long period.
However, he said, Livestream links could be set up for those based overseas to give victim impact statements. He said many other victims were finding the lengthy court case exhausting and wanted it to come to an end. “Finality and closure are considered by some as the best means of bringing relief to the Muslim community,” he added.
The extremist has been in police custody since March 15, 2019, when he was arrested and accused of using semiautomatic weapons to target Muslims attending Friday prayers at two mosques in the South Island city of Christchurch.
The attack was streamed live on Facebook and cited as providing inspiration for several other attacks targeting religious groups around the world.
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