Why the Christchurch shooting suspect may not face terror charges

Australian man Brenton Tarrant may not be charged with terrorism after 50 people were killed in two mosque attacks in Christchurch on Friday.

Tarrant, 28, has so far been charged with one count of murder, however it is likely more charges will be laid before his next court appearance on April 5.

If Tarrant was to be charged under the Terrorism Suppression Act (TSA), he would become the first person charged under New Zealand’s anti-terror laws.

But authorities may not charge Tarrant under the TSA in order to keep the alleged shooter behind bars as long as possible.

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Tarrant has elected to defend himself and if he is on trial for terrorism charges it may lead him to use the stage to bolster his extremist views or read out the pages of his manifesto.

A longer minimum non-parole period would be imposed on multiple murder convictions rather than terror charges.

‘Murder charges easier to prove’

Auckland University senior law lecturer John Ip told Stuff murder would be easier to prove than terrorism.

“I think that probably the more attractive point for a prosecutor regarding murder … would be the relative ease of proof, particularly bearing in mind that murder is familiar and the terrorism offence [is] both novel and complex,” Ip said.

After making his first court appearance on Saturday morning, Tarrant dismissed his duty lawyer and instead decided to represent himself.

Tarrant’s former lawyer Richard Peters confirmed to the New Zealand Herald he was no longer representing Tarrant.

“What did seem apparent to me is he seemed quite clear and lucid, whereas this may seem like very irrational behavior,” Mr Peters told the publication.

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