Silke Jasso
A jury has officially recommended on the first count that Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz be sentenced to life in prison. This is due to the shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida back in 2018.
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The jury was deliberating whether or not he should be sentenced to death or receive a life sentence. Prosecutors had argued the now 24-year-old’s crime was cruel and heinous. Cruise killed 14 students and three staff members on February 14, 2008. Another 17 were wounded during the massacre. It has now become one of the worst school shootings in United States history. Cruz walked inside the high school wearing an AR-15-style rifle and released a spray of bullets.
Crews had pled guilty to all the counts last year. Seven counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Life Without Parole for Nikolas Cruz
Jurors heard months of evidence regarding the tragic event. As well as an in-depth examination of his mental issues and his “childhood trauma.” His defense team argued his life should be spared, due to his developing mental condition. As well as mental issues that led him to carry out the terrible Massacre.
His defense lawyers argued that his birth mother’s alcohol abuse during her pregnancy led to his violent Behavior.
Judge Elizabeth Scherer presided over the months-long trial which included heavy emotional testimony from those injured, survivors, and families of the victims. There were also several graphic accounts of the horrible attack. Prosecutor Mike Satz concluded the state’s closing arguments by reading each victim’s names. He went on to say that the appropriate sentence for Cruz was death penalty.
Parkland Shooter Sentence
The jury had stated that while the prosecution proved that Cruz’s factors mourned the death penalty, his mental health issues overweight that. According to reporters, several parents inside the gallery shook their heads as they listened to the life sentence for Cruz instead of a death sentence.
In order to recommend the death penalty, a jury must reach a unanimous decision. If not, the recommendation will be life in prison without parole.
