Christchurch gunman fails in bid to appeal against guilty pleas in New Zealand court
The Christchurch mosque attacker, Brenton Tarrant, has failed in his attempt to appeal against his guilty pleas, with New Zealand's Court of Appeal ruling the bid had no merit. The court rejected his claims that poor mental health and harsh prison conditions influenced his decision to plead guilty, finding he made a rational and informed choice. Tarrant, who murdered 51 people in 2019, remains the first person in New Zealand to receive a life sentence without parole.
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Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, where the gunman carried out his attack in 2019. Photograph: Carly Earl/The GuardianView image in fullscreenAl Noor mosque in Christchurch, where the gunman carried out his attack in 2019. Photograph: Carly Earl/The GuardianChristchurch shootingChristchurch gunman fails in bid to appeal against guilty pleas in New Zealand courtAustralian white supremacist who murdered 51 Muslims said poor mental health made him admit to crimesEva Corlett in WellingtonWed 29 Apr 2026 22.57 EDTLast modified on Wed 29 Apr 2026 23.21 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe Australian white supremacist who murdered 51 Muslim worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch in 2019 has been prevented from appealing against his guilty pleas, after one of New Zealand’s highest courts…
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