Christchurch killings: gunman pleads guilty, there will be no trial

Text by: Christophe Paget Follow

In New Zealand, on Thursday, the author of the Christchurch massacre finally pleaded guilty. The 29-year-old Australian killed 51 people last year, opening fire in two mosques in southern New Zealand. There will therefore be no trial.

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"Yes, guilty," said Brenton Tarrant, staring at the camera connecting him to the High Court in Christchurch. The self-proclaimed white supremacist has so far denied 51 murder charges, 40 attempted murder charges and one of terrorist charges.

Because of this flip-flop for which neither the accused nor his lawyers gave any reason, the trial will not take place - it was to be held from June for six weeks. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was relieved, all of this " spares families the ordeal of a trial ", which the killer could have used as a platform.

Sentenced in the aftermath of his statement for each of the charges against him, he risks life in prison, but will not be sentenced until after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, to allow families to go. in person in court.

What was not the case this Thursday, because of the virus. Only 17 people were able to attend the hearing, among them the imams of the two mosques concerned. Last year after the massacre, New Zealand had tightened its legislation in the space of a month by banning semi-automatic military-type weapons like those used by the killer.

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