The white supremacist who slaughtered 51 worshippers at two New Zealand mosques was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The judge imposed the maximum available sentence on 29-year-old Australian gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant, the first time the sentence has been imposed in New Zealand.
The March 2019 attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked New Zealand and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons. They also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook. Tarrant had earlier fired his lawyers and told the judge that he didn't wish to speak at the hearing. A standby lawyer appointed by the court told the judge that Tarrant did not oppose a sentence of life without parole.
Tarrant in March had pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism, reversing his earlier not guilty pleas.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Quebec reports 62 new COVID-19 cases, three deathsQuebec public health authorities announced Tuesday that 61,803 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the province, and 5,746 people have died since the start of the pandemic.
Read more »
Molson- and Hexo-backed cannabis drinks company launches five new brandsCompetition in the cannabis beverage market is due to heat up as a company backed by Molson Coors Canada launches a group of pot drinks brands over the next few months.
Read more »
Erin O'Toole and the search for a new Canadian centre - Macleans.caPaul Wells: The Conservatives need to remake their movement for a new era. Is their new leader the person to do it?
Read more »
School bus drivers ask for COVID-19 safety protocols ahead of start of new yearUnifor says many of its drivers are senior citizens and are more vulnerable to the virus
Read more »
New Conservative leader Erin O'Toole to lay out his blueprint for partyNewly elected Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole will speak to reporters today for the first time since his victory in the leadership race.
Read more »