The Christchurch mosque terrorist says he pleaded guilty to the murder of 51 people last year, because of the inhumane and degrading treatment he experienced while awaiting his trial.
Brenton Tarrant's new lawyer, Tony Ellis, has made the claim on his behalf in a memo to the Chief Coroner, Judge Deborah Marshall, ahead of the Coroner's Inquiry into the mass killing.
The inmate was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in August last year, but is now being represented by Dr Ellis ahead of a coroner's inquiry.
Dr Ellis says he has advised his client to appeal his sentence on human rights grounds - something which the shooter is considering.
RNZ reporter Charlotte Cook talks to Māni Dunlop about the story.
