True Justice Waiting for Christchurch Mosque Gunman in Next Life: Victim Father
Brenton Tarrant, who was described as a coward, weak and a heinous terrorist on the third day of his hearing, will not speak at his sentencing on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Australian has been representing himself in court but a standby lawyer, whose services Tarrant can use if he wishes to, has been instructed to make a brief statement on his behalf.
Tarrant has admitted killing 51 men, women and children while they prayed at two city mosques last year.
He has also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a further 40 worshippers, and a charge of terrorism.
The day was once again dominated by heartfelt and emotional victim impact statements. Tarrant showed little emotion as he listened.
Aden Diriye's young son was shot dead in the massacre. His statement was read by his other son, Abdiramen Ibrahim.
In it he said: "This terrorist killed my beloved three-year-old son, and to me it is as though you have killed the whole of New Zealand."
He described how his son played in the mosque and was adored by everyone there, and at home how he would run around pretending to be a cop and wear a police uniform.
Mr Diriye looked Tarrant directly in the eye, as his words were read to the court: "Know that true justice is waiting for you in the next life, and that will be far more severe."
Ahad Nabi who lost his elderly father, Haji Mohemmed Daoud Nabi, also spoke directly to Tarrant: "You hurt my father, but you never took him away from me. You physically hurt him, but gifted my father with becoming a martyr.
"I do not forgive you, while you are in prison you will come to the reality that you are now in hell and only the fire awaits you.
"Your father was a garbage man, you became trash of society, he is ashamed of your identity. You deserved to be buried in a landfill.
"My 71-year-old dad would have broken you in half if you had challenged him to a fight. You are weak."
John Milne's 14-year old son, Sayyad Milne, was shot in the back of his head while he knelt in prayer. "I've forgiven you Brenton," he said.
"You are a terrorist, a murderer but still a man. Not a single bullet hit me, but there's a huge hole in my heart - if you get the chance I would like you to say sorry."
Sheik Rubel has undergone seven surgeries for his gunshot wounds and is back in hospital for more next month.
"I was shot three times, left with broken hips, three broken toes, shrapnel in my jaw and a bullet near my spine," he told the court, Sky News reported.
"I felt like bullets were coming from everywhere. The second bullet hit my right hip. There are no words to describe how scared I felt at the time. I was getting hit by one bullet after another and just waiting to die."
Sazada Akhter, who will never walk again and was left in a coma, described her horrific injuries through a support person.
"I am in a wheelchair for the rest of my life," she said.
"You will not stop me from achieving my dreams. While you are in prison please think about what you have done to me. I will survive and prosper."
Tarrant faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, but the high court judge, Justice Cameron Mander, has the option of sentencing Tarrant to life in prison without parole, a penalty never before used in New Zealand.
The judge stopped and thanked the man who tried to stop the killing spree.
Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah threw a credit card machine at the gunman's head, picked up a gun he dropped and chased him, smashing the window of his car as he fled the scene.
"He looked at me, did the finger and said I will f****** kill all of you," he said.
He told Tarrant: "You are gutless. You know this face... the one who chased you out... You should thank God on that day I didn't catch you. It would have been a different story."
As he finished reading his statement and went to leave the court, the judge said to him: "Before you go, I have seen the video and I want to acknowledge your courage."
Applause erupted in the public gallery.
Tarrant is due to be sentenced on Thursday.
