Backcrime
Brenton Tarrant appeals Christchurch mosque shootings conviction and life sentence
Brenton Tarrant, convicted for the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings that killed 51 people, filed an appeal against his life imprisonment without parole, New Zealand's first such sentence.
Why It Matters
The appeal challenges New Zealand's only life sentence without parole for the worst mass shooting in its history, drawing attention to terrorism sentencing and victim justice.
Timeline
6 Events
Appeal filed
November 2022
Tarrant filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence with the New Zealand Court of Appeal; no hearing date set at the time.
Lawyer claims duress in plea
2 November 2021
Tarrant's lawyer Tony Ellis stated Tarrant pleaded guilty under duress due to mistreatment in detention; Ellis no longer represents him.
Tarrant sentenced
27 August 2020
Tarrant received life imprisonment without parole for each of the 51 murders, the first such sentence in New Zealand history.
Sentencing hearing begins
24 August 2020
Sentencing started at Christchurch High Court before Justice Cameron Mander, featuring victim impact statements and evidence of Tarrant's planning.
Tarrant pleads guilty
March 2020
Tarrant pleaded guilty to 51 murder charges, 40 attempted murder charges, and one terrorism charge after initially pleading not guilty.
Christchurch mosque shootings
15 March 2019
Brenton Tarrant attacked two mosques in Christchurch, killing 51 people and injuring 40 others, while live-streaming the attacks.