22 May 2019

Terror charge for Christchurch shooter - legal analysis

From Morning Report, 8:29 am on 22 May 2019

Legal experts are concerned charging the man accused of the Christchurch mosque attacks with terrorism is risky, and will give him a platform to espouse white supremacist views.

The terrorism charge follows consultation between the police, Crown Law and the Christchurch Crown Solicitors Office.

The 28-year-old now faces 51 murder charges, 40 charges of attempted murder and one charge under the Terrorism Suppression Act.

Alexander Gillespie is a Professor of Law at Waikato University. He discusses the implications.