CHRISTCHURCH – The man accused of killing 50 people in last month’s attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, has been ordered to undergo mental health tests.
Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, would be seen by experts to determine whether he was fit to stand trial or insane, said high court judge Cameron Mander.
Mr Tarrant appeared in the courtroom – packed with relatives of some of his victims – via video link from prison.
He faces 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges.
He was not required to enter a plea.
It is the deadliest mass shooting attack New Zealand has ever seen.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called it one of New Zealand’s “darkest days”.
She has vowed to ban all types of semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles.
On Friday morning, Judge Mader ordered that two assessments would be carried out to determine the state of the suspect’s mental health.
The suspect listened intently during the short court hearing. He made no comments.
The suspect was able to see the judge and lawyers and hear the proceedings – but the camera was turned away from the public gallery.
The judge remanded him in custody, and his next court appearance is now due on 14 June.
The prisoner was arrested on 15 March for his involvement in the shootings at the Al Noor mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre, both located in Christchurch.
He had first driven to the Al Noor mosque, parked nearby and began firing into the mosque as he walked in through the front entrance.
He fired on men, women and children inside for about five minutes. He live-streamed the attack from a head-mounted camera and identified himself in the footage.
The suspect is then said to have driven about 5km (three miles) to the Linwood mosque where the second shooting occurred.
The gunman, armed with semi-automatic rifles including an AR-15, is believed to have modified his weapons with high-capacity magazines – the part of the gun which stores ammunition – so they could hold more bullets.
He is currently being kept in isolation at the Auckland Prison in Paremoremo, considered New Zealand’s toughest.
Less than a week after the attacks, Ms Ardern announced that New Zealand would ban all types of semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles.
She said she expected new legislation to be in place by 11 April.
An amnesty has been imposed so the owners of affected weapons can hand them in, and a buy-back scheme will follow.
Many in the country are still coming to terms with the mass killings.
More than 20,000 people had earlier last month attended a memorial service honouring the 50 victims of the shootings.
All 50 names of the victims who died in the attacks were read out at the event by members of the city’s Muslim community.
The victims included men, women and children from across the world. The youngest victim was just three years old.
(BBC)
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Now all the BS Starts, the Guy is NOT Crazy, he is a RACIST and a WHITE NATIONALIST, and should HANG for killing 50 INNOCENT People and Injuring seriously Many,Many others.
What test ,he knew what he was doing ,all well planned out
Them making alot a sport, as soon as it is a white man, the person got mental health issues, any other person they are terrorists.. Smh
Got to love the justice systems around the world,if it is a colored person they just violent no good but when it is a caucasian that person must be mentally sick.He might be mentally ill for all it is worth but this seem to well planned,guess we will see how this goes.
Because he white .he plans it well I do not see a mad man
If a black man had done that he would be long dead..
So this monster will be declared insane after his deadly massacre…He should be examined for HATE.
If he was anuthing but white he would have been dead
He is sane sane sane. What test? You should be testing his veins for a lethal injection.
He want locking up for life