The man accused of shooting dead 51 Muslim worshippers in the Christchurch mosque attacks pleaded not guilty to multiple murder and terrorism charges on Friday and was committed to stand trial next year.
Appearing in Christchurch High Court via a video link from a maximum-security prison in Auckland, Brenton Tarrant sat silently as lawyer Shane Tait said his client pleaded "not guilty to all charges".
The self-proclaimed white supremacist has been charged with 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and engaging in a terrorist act over the March 15 atrocity in the South Island city.
The 28-year-old Australian is accused of opening fire in the packed Al Noor mosque during Friday prayers, then travelling across town to continue the carnage in the suburban Linwood mosque, while livestreaming his actions on social media.
The court heard that mental health assessments had found Tarrant was fit to stand trial for the worst massacre in modern New Zealand history.
"No issue arises regarding the defendant's fitness to plead, to instruct counsel, and to stand his trial. A fitness hearing is not required," Judge Cameron Mander said in a statement issued shortly after the hearing.
About 80 survivors and relatives of those killed packed into the courthouse's public gallery for a glimpse of Tarrant.
Wearing a grey crewneck jersey, Tarrant smirked at times during the hearing.
Judge Mander set a trial date of May 4 next year, with Mr Tait saying it was expected to last at least six weeks.
"The court endeavours to bring serious criminal cases to trial within a year of arrest. The scale and complexity of this case makes this challenging," Mr Mander said.
Tarrant was remanded in custody to appear for a case review hearing to be held on August 15.
Mr Mander barred news outlets from taking photographs or video of Tarrant's appearance, although he said images from an earlier hearing in April could be used.
New Zealand's government tightened the country's gun laws in the wake of the attack and has said it will review laws dealing with hate speech.
It has also supported international efforts to ensure that social media giants to do more to combat online extremism.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
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The Baghdad Clock
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Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
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The%20BaaS%20ecosystem
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Rating:4/5
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- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
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MATCH INFO
UAE Division 1
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Soldier F
“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.
“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.
“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”
Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson