New Zealand: Mass murderer Tarrant shows no regrets, to represent self in court

The Australian man accused of killing 50 people at two New Zealand mosques doesn’t appear mentally unstable and plans to represent himself, his court-appointed lawyer said on Monday.

Brenton Tarrant was charged with one count of murder and appeared at Christchurch District Court on Saturday after the rampage during Friday prayers. He will face more charges when he appears in court again on April 5.

At his first court appearance, Tarrant didn’t speak but appeared unremorseful, grinning at journalists and flashing an upside down “okay” sign – a symbol associated with white power groups around the world.

Read also: Nigerian Imam narrates how he escaped death in New Zealand mosque attack

Duty lawyer Richard Peters, who represented him during the initial court hearing, said the 28-year-old “indicated he does not want a lawyer.”

However, the relatives of those missing and presumed dead are racked by anguish, desperate to lay their loved ones to rest at the Memorial Park Cemetery.

“I haven’t slept for two days,” 31-year-old Farhana Akhter says outside a makeshift victim support centre in Christchurch, a city that is home to a few thousand Muslims.

“I can’t eat or drink; I need to see my aunt’s body as soon as possible … so we can have relief.”

Authorities in New Zealand have not made official public statements naming the victims, but have promised to move as swiftly as possible in returning bodies to the victims’ families, while stressing the need for accurate identification.

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