The mass murderer who killed 51 worshipers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, last year pleaded guilty to all charges on Thursday, in an unexpected move that avoids a trial that was scheduled for June.
Brenton Tarrant, 29, pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism at the Christchurch High Court.
The gunman, who appeared in court via a video link from jail, had previously pleaded not guilty, but with this plea, a trial that many feared could be a platform for his white supremacist views will not happen.
Tarrant’s sentencing date has not yet been set, but he faces life imprisonment, with the judge able to decide how many years he must serve before becoming eligible for parole.
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