“I feel disappointed about the delays and I feel that these could recur during the process for the very same reasons,” said Hanan Adem, whose husband, Dr Amjad Hamid, was killed.īut Adem, who is a trustee of the families’ group, supported the postponement. Others said they were worried their lawyers might not have the chance to see all the evidence before an inquest begins – even after a delay. She is a spokesperson for the 15 March Whānau Trust, a group representing many of the families. “It certainly is very disappointing to be repeatedly taken back to the same starting point all over again,” said Insha Aziz, whose husband, Farhaj Ahsan was killed. Lawyers for the police had told the coroner they were ready to proceed with the inquest in May.Īya al-Umari, whose brother Hussein al-Umari was killed, said she had expected “comprehensive” detail from the police evidence “given the considerable amount of time that has lapsed” since the attack.Īl-Umari was among bereaved relatives who said they welcomed the postponement, but were frustrated that concerns about timely access to information had not been addressed earlier. Evidence relating to the aftermath of the shooting is suppressed until the inquest begins. When Brenton Tarrant pleaded guilty to all the charges he faced in March 2020, a planned trial was averted and the case against him was never publicly presented.Ĭoroner Windley said lawyers representing the families had decried “the disappointing lack of detail” in briefs filed to her inquiry by the police, arguing they did not allow a proper investigation “of what decisions were made, by whom and on what basis”. Much of the evidence underpinning the inquiry was prepared by New Zealand’s police in 2019 for the criminal case against the terrorist. Some said they were not able to engage expert witnesses or properly instruct their clients as a result. Lawyers for many of the bereaved had urged the coroner to delay the hearings due to the sheer volume of disclosure and delays in receiving, accessing and reviewing it. “However, it is vitally important that this Inquiry is conducted in a manner that retains its integrity and maintains trust and confidence in the process.” “I know this will be an unwelcome delay for many, including those who have long been awaiting the answers and perhaps the closure they hope the Inquest will bring,” coroner Windley wrote. They would be rescheduled for later this year, she said. “This inquiry presents an important and critical opportunity to also look at what we may learn from this atrocity and speak for those who have lost their lives in an effort to protect the living,” she said.In a minute issued on Thursday, coroner Brigitte Windley said she had decided “with considerable reluctance” that the hearings would not proceed as planned. She said the objective was to provide answers to outstanding questions for grieving families about what happened to their loved ones - and to examine whether anything further can be done to prevent further tragedies. The inquest began at about 10am with a powerful and harrowing video tribute to the 51 men, women and children murdered as they gathered to pray in March 2019.Ĭoroner Windley made a brief opening address about the inquest process and why it was crucial to seek answers, for not just the families of the dead and survivors but for the whole of New Zealand. She said anyone who did not want to see the video was more than welcome to leave the courtroom - or disconnect the link if they were watching the proceedings remotely. She said while the content was not graphic, it would likely be upsetting and disturbing for some. This morning, Coroner Windley advised those attending the inquest that the footage would be played and what it would show - and not show.
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