The Australian white supremacist who killed 51 worshippers in the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks has asked a New Zealand court to overturn his guilty pleas, arguing that harsh prison conditions left him mentally unfit to enter them. Brenton Tarrant, 35, is appealing his convictions and life sentence, claiming he suffered 'nervous exhaustion' by the time he admitted to the crimes in March 2020.
Tarrant pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and a terrorism charge, after initially indicating he would defend the case. In August 2020, he became the first person in New Zealand to receive a life sentence without parole. However, he filed an appeal in 2022, outside the usual time limit, which the Court of Appeal is now considering.
Giving evidence via video link in Wellington, Tarrant said his mental health deteriorated in solitary confinement, with limited reading material and contact with others. He claimed he felt he had 'little else I could do' but plead guilty. The court must decide whether he was incapable of rational decision-making at the time.
Crown lawyer Barnaby Hawes challenged Tarrant, arguing there was little evidence of a serious mental crisis and that he had other options, such as seeking a trial delay on mental health grounds or defending himself. Tarrant said he had masked his illness, partly due to 'the political movement I’m a part of'.
The hearing is attended only by media, counsel and authorised persons, with victims and families watching via a delayed broadcast in Christchurch. Aya Al-Umari, whose brother Hussein was killed, described the experience as reopening a wound. Security has been heightened at the court.
If the appeal succeeds, the case returns to the High Court for trial. If it fails, a further hearing will address the sentence appeal later this year. The judges are expected to deliver their decision at a later date.
