CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, March 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The Australian
charged with murder in the mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques plans to
represent himself and appears “rational”, his court-appointed lawyer told AFP
Monday.
Brenton Tarrant was charged with one count of murder and appeared at
Christchurch District Court on Saturday after the rampage during Friday
prayers which left 50 people dead.
Duty lawyer Richard Peters, who represented him during the preliminary
court hearing, told AFP the 28-year-old “indicated he does not want a
lawyer”.
“He wants to be self-represented in this case,” said Peters, who played
down suggestions that Tarrant may not be fit for trial.
“The way he presented was rational and someone who was not suffering any
mental disability. That’s how he appeared. He seemed to understand what was
going on,” Peters said.