Christchurch shooting: Brenton Tarrant sacks legal team and will represent himself at sentencing

The gunman behind the Christchurch massacre has sacked his lawyers and will represent himself at his upcoming sentencing.

The alleged terrorist behind the Christchurch massacre has sacked his legal team ahead of his sentencing next month.

Brenton Tarrant’s former lawyers have said they’re “not disappointed” at losing the chance to finish out the defence for their client. Mr Tarrant plans to represent himself moving forward, they said.

“We are not disappointed by Mr Tarrant’s decision,” Barrister Jonathan Hudson said after a hearing this morning, according to the New Zealand Herald.

“There has been no conflict or relationship breakdown.”

He said Mr Tarrant has a right to represent himself in court “and has chosen to do so”.

Mr Tarrant, 29, from Grafton in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, intends to represent himself for the remainder of his sentencing on August 29. The firing of his legal team today reportedly came as a shock.

Mr Tarrant had previously pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder for the attack at two mosques on March 15 last year. Mr Tarrant targeted the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic centre during Friday prayer, killing 51 people and injuring 49 others.

Grafton became the centre of global media attention after the revelation that Christchurch gunman Brenton Tarrant grew up in the city.

His guilty plea was entered during the first day of New Zealand’s severe nationwide Level 4 lockdowns.

Mr Tarrant has already been convicted on all charges including 40 counts of attempted murder, and one count of engaging in a terrorist act laid under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002.

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While Mr Tarrant’s sentencing was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic the official date of August 24 was confirmed last week. The sentencing could take up to three or more days.

His sentencing has been delayed, but last week it was confirmed that it would begin on August 24 in the city his terror attack took place — the hearing is expected to last three or more days.