Accused mosque gunman ‘rational,’ will represent himself – ex-lawyer

Agence France-Presse
Accused mosque gunman ‘rational,’ will represent himself – ex-lawyer

AFP

Duty lawyer Richard Peters, who represented the alleged shooter during the preliminary court hearing, says he 'indicated he does not want a lawyer'

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – 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 the Agence France-Presse on Monday, March 18. 

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. – Rappler.com

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