Alleged New Zealand Mosque Gunman Sacks Lawyer

The man accused of attacking two separate mosques in New Zealand last week has reportedly fired his lawyer and plans to represent himself in court.

Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian, was arrested and charged with the murder of 50 people at the Masjid Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch. At least 33 victims have been hospitalised, with nine of them in critical condition.

Appearing in Christchurch District Court on Saturday, 16 March, Tarrant’s court-appointed lawyer, Richard Peters, explained that his client did not want legal representation. Instead, Tarrant wants to represent himself.

Peters explained: “What did seem apparent to me is [Tarrant] seemed quite clear and lucid, whereas this may seem like very irrational behaviour. He didn’t appear to me to be facing any challenges or mental impairment other than holding fairly extreme views.”

He added: “I suspect that [Tarrant] won’t shy away from publicity … the job of the trial judge will be to deal with that.”

Tarrant is due to appear back in court on 5 April.