Tensions ran high during the coroner’s inquest into the Christchurch mosque shootings, as the two referees who vouched for the gunman’s firearms licence gave evidence.
One of the referees, a gaming friend of the shooter, became confrontational, telling a lawyer to “sit down” after being questioned about his role, according to a report in state media.
He admitted knowing the perpetrator had “right-wing”, “anti-immigration” views but claimed he never took his posts seriously, considering them typical online behaviour.
His parent, who also acted as a referee, similarly displayed frustration when questioned, threatening to leave after accusing a lawyer of being “annoying.” Both referees defended their initial assessments of the terrorist as “sensible” and “responsible,” although they acknowledged they would have been more vigilant in hindsight.
The inquest, led by Deputy Chief Coroner Brigitte Windley, is examining how the terrorist obtained a firearms licence before carrying out the attack that claimed 51 lives at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in 2019.
The referees revealed that their interactions with the gunman were limited, with one having met him in person only a few times. They were unaware of the full extent of his views at the time of their recommendation. The second phase of the inquest is expected to last three weeks, with more witnesses to be called.
People never truly know what lies in another’s heart most of the time. At least that’s my experience. Why start here, rather than the overall process, itself? Are there enough checks and balances.
‘Right Wing”? Did they even read his manifesto? Oh wait Jacinda banned it and made it illegal to read.
Exactly, “right wings” new meaning is sane people.
Perhaps it is not the referee’s job to do a full scale vetting of the candidate. For starters the referee does not have access to the information on the candidate that is gathered by “surveillance”. Other actors in the process do have access.
Channel 9 News in Australia reported the shooting a day before it allegedly happened.