The Christchurch terrorist, Brenton Tarrant, is testifying in New Zealand's appeal court as he seeks to withdraw his guilty pleas for the 2019 attack. In a five-day hearing, the court examines his claims that his confinement conditions rendered him incapable of making rational decisions when pleading guilty to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism charges in March 2020.
Tarrant, appearing via video link from a high-security facility, has filed two applications: one requesting more time to appeal his sentence and conviction, and another seeking to vacate his guilty pleas and proceed to trial. The court's primary focus is on whether Tarrant's prison conditions impaired his ability to make rational decisions at the time of his pleas.
Tarrant's appearance in court has been marked by a striking transformation from his sentencing hearing in August 2020, where he wore grey prison clothes and listened quietly to victim impact statements. On Monday, he wore a white shirt, dark-rimmed glasses, and had a shaved head. During the hearing, Tarrant engaged in testy exchanges with the crown solicitor, Barnaby Hawes, regarding his state of mind in the months leading up to his pleas.
Tarrant acknowledged his meetings with lawyers and their advice but claimed he was not in a fit state of mind. He attributed his mental health deterioration to 'wildly fluctuating beliefs and identity'. Tarrant argued that going to trial under those conditions would have been challenging, stating he felt forced to plead guilty.
The court heard that Tarrant was concerned about his performance in court due to his mental health, fearing he would twitch and be unable to speak. He ultimately decided to plead guilty to avoid a trial, stating he felt he had no choice. Tarrant's lawyers, however, did not express concerns about his mental state during their meetings, leading to questions about the impact of prison conditions.
Witness B, an Australian clinical psychologist, testified about Tarrant's emotional wellbeing and ability to make informed choices. The psychologist concluded that Tarrant's emotional wellbeing, judgment, and ability to make informed choices were impacted by the conditions he faced. The crown solicitor accused Witness B of being an advocate for Tarrant, but the witness maintained that he was attempting to understand the reasons for Tarrant's plea changes.
The hearing has been held under extraordinary arrangements, with enhanced security measures and controlled access. The identities of Tarrant's legal team have been suppressed for their safety. Tarrant's interactions with his family from prison remain confidential, as he cited concerns for their safety. Victims and their families are observing the proceedings remotely.
Only a portion of Tarrant's testimony will be made public, and the identities of other witnesses will be suppressed throughout the week.
