2 years ago
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In Memoriam: Fallen Stars of 2022
A assemblage has spared Nikolas Cruz the decease penalty.
On Oct. 13, Judge Elizabeth Scherera announced that a assemblage has recommended Cruz—who changeable and killed 3 unit members and 14 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School successful Parkland, Florida, successful 2018—serve beingness successful situation without the anticipation of parole. This proposal was for each 17 first-degree execution counts against the 24-year-old. The assemblage deliberated for little than 24 hours earlier announcing their decision.
After the verdicts were read, judge Scherera officially acceptable a sentencing day for Nov. 1. During the November hearing, families of those killed successful the shooting volition beryllium allowed to work unfortunate interaction statements.
On Valentine's Day in Feb. 2018, a then-19-year-old Cruz changeable and killed 17 radical and injured 17 others aft entering his erstwhile schoolhouse successful the Miami suburb with an AR-15 rifle.
Cruz plead blameworthy to 17 counts of first-degree execution charges successful 2021, but faced a proceedings implicit whether he'd look the decease penalty.
During the three-month trial, which began successful July, prosecutors presented a lawsuit for Cruz to person the decease punishment portion the defence argued for a beingness successful situation sentence. "One time I committedness you, you volition inquire yourself, did I marque the close decision?" Melisa McNeill, a subordinate of Cruz's defence team, said to the assemblage during closing arguments connected Oct. 11, per NBC News. "You volition ne'er hide voting for life."
While authoritative Mike Satz countered, "The due condemnation for Nikolas Cruz is the decease penalty."
AMY BETH BENNETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Cruz's defence had previously attempted to amusement that his commencement mother's behavior—including alleged intoxicant abuse—while large with him perchance led to his violent path.
