The alleged Christchurch gunman has withdrawn an application to have his trial moved out of Christchurch.
Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, appeared in the Christchurch High Court via video link on Thursday morning.
Justice Cameron Mander confirmed the application to change the trial venue would not be pursued by the defence.
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The courtroom was packed with about 80 family members.
Tarrant was remanded in custody by Justice Mander until his next appearance on December 12.
His trial is due to start on June 2 next year. It was initially supposed to start in May, but pushed back at families' requests due to ramadan.
Tarrant is accused of opening fire at Christchurch's Al Noor and Linwood mosques on March 15.
The Australian man faces 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one charge under the Terrorism Suppression Act. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in June.
A 'gruelling' process
Taj Mohammad was injured in the attack.
He believes holding the trial in Christchurch is the right decision - for the victims and their families.
But he says the process is gruelling; "it's very difficult."
Newshub.
