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| Photo Credit: AP. |
The jury deciding the case of Parkland school shooter Thursday recommended a life sentence for Cruz, a far cry from the death penalty victims and family members had hoped for.
The decision
by the 12 –person is coming after Cruz pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder
and 17 counts of attempted murder in October 2018 after the shooting at Marjory
Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018, the Washington Examiner
reported.
Broward
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer is expected to issue the formal sentencing against
Nikolas Cruz based on the jury’s recommendation on November 1, according to the
Washington Examiner,
During the
rampaging shooting, considered the deadliest at a U.S. high school, Cruz killed
14 students and three staff members.
The three
month trial featured graphic video, photos, and testimony of the shooting and
from family members.
Since Cruz
pleaded guilty to all charges, there was no trial as the court went directly to
sentencing. In April authorities began hearing for the death penalty which
began with jury selection and opening statements in July.
Responding,
Scherer described the life sentence decision as “the most uncalled for,
unprofessional way to try a case,” prompting Cruz’s counsel to file a motion to
disqualify Scherer, a motion dismissed by Scherer.
While the
defense counsel described Scherer as brain damaged and mentally ill and hence
should be exempt from the death penalty, the prosecuting counsel said Cruz
planned and executed what he wanted to do, which was to murder children at school
and their caretakers.