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The Christchurch assassin enters the courtroom with no apparent emotion. The 29-year-old right-wing extremist confessed to killing 51 people in a terrorist attack on two mosques last year. Before the verdict is announced, those who have lost someone or were themselves wounded should now have their say.
Temel Ataçocuğu was in one of the mosques on the day of the attack - he was hit nine times by the bomber's bullets.
Temel Ataçocuğu, survivor
"My injuries leave lasting disabilities and pain. However, I am a strong, stubborn Turkish man who was raised to endure. The trauma will live in me forever. The pictures, the smell inside the mosque that day haunt me. Me cannot foresee a painless future. One day I will think of all this and be proud of what I have overcome when I run free in the sunshine. "
Maysoon Salama, mother of a victim
"I can't forgive you. You gave yourself permission to exterminate 51 innocent people. Their only crime in your eyes was being Muslim. You hurt 49 and destroyed the dreams of so many innocent people."
The Christchurch assassination was the most devastating violent crime in New Zealand's recent history. According to media reports, the perpetrator had originally planned to attack a third mosque and then set fire to the places of worship.
The defendant had already pleaded guilty last March, so the actual trial against him is not applicable.