Canterbury Mornings

A crowd is gathering outside Christchurch's courthouse, with the beginning of the landmark sentencing of the mosque killer just hours away.There is no doubt 29-year-old Australian national Brenton Tarrant will be sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and a charge under the Terrorism Suppression Act, but the major question is whether it is life without parole.That decision falls to Justice Cameron Mander - however, it will likely be several days before he formally passes sentence.Armed police have manned the perimeter of the Christchurch justice precinct since the weekend and road closures have been in effect as authorities gear up for the case. Snipers are stationed on the courthouse rooftop.Roads are closed off around the Christchurch Law Courts, and there's a heavy police presence at the scene. Photo / Amber AllottAs part of the security measures there are rigorous identity-checking protocols for those wishing to enter the building and queues are