'Evil, violent, murdering piece of trash': Polk Sheriff Grady Judd blasts Parkland jury's verdict

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who served on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Safety Commission, addressed the verdict in the Parkland school shooter trial, blasting the jury's decision to reject the death penalty and instead sentence Nikolas Cruz to life in prison. He also had harsh words for Broward County, where he said the school board was the last of all the Florida districts to comply with safety laws passed after the massacre in their own backyard.

"Nothing that comes out of Broward County surprises me. If there's ever been anyone on the face of the Earth that deserved the death penalty, it was that evil, violent, murdering piece of trash that massacred those children," Sheriff Judd said Thursday. "There's never been a more cold, calculated, premeditated murder than that, and if you can't get the death penalty for that in Broward County, that's not a safe county to live in."

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[unoeye]

This is why I like this Sheriff. He tells it like it is.

[sirtomthecat]

Mental illness is NOT an excuse for evil behavior. PERIOD.

[wukillaee]

Damn he said "if you can't get the death penalty for that then what can you get the death penalty for" that was tough!! Love this man

[glowrocks]

Thankyou for speaking the truth. This person who killed 17 people. Did not get the death penalty. How? He planned this whole event!!

[Paws]

"Evil, violent, murdering piece of trash", is clearly an understatement....
I can only imagine what he really wanted to say....

[OneSingleCheezIt]

This man’s down-to-Earth sincerity and devotion to the people is sadly rare.

[axlsg]

I just got chills ... The passion and honesty that this man brings is second to none... RIP to those 17 souls

[kathleenmckeithen]

Sheriff Grady Judd laying out the truth just like it needs to be told! Thank you, Sheriff Judd, you are simply the best!!

[michelletodd]

Live in Broward and he is correct. Our sheriff was removed our school superintendent and 4 people were removed from schoolboard because they weren't using fund we had since 2016 to upgrade the schools that could have help.

[doodledo]

This country would be so different if there were more people in office like this sheriff. God bless & protect you sir!!!

[stevieRay]

The death penalty should be mandatory for crimes like this. Perhaps there is hope for jailhouse justice.

[karengiorella]

It's refreshing to hear someone speak truth with common sense.

[lizgibson]

Thank you for your courage to call out insanity when you see it! Thanks for your integrity, honesty and service to Polk County and the State of Florida.

[NS-ytvy]

I hope the prisoners get word of what has happened, and give this murderer daily justice.

[amandafischer]

Being from Broward County, he isn’t wrong. We need more of Grady Judd and I was also posted that this person didn’t get the death penalty

[Banishedsoulsofficial]

As a man who has waited 12 years already on the death penalty verdict to be carried out on the man who murdered my children I can tell you the capital appeals and long wait doesn't make it any easier hearing he will pay the ultimate price.

[barbarathompson]

My heart breaks for all the families of those massacred by this evil person!

[imakeajiffypuff]

Very well spoken. Thankful to have a few sane people left in this world.

[av]

We should have more Sheriff’s like you👍👍👍

[JESS-ghuj]

I have a very high level of respect for this man right here. Grady Judd is one of the best!!! Prayers for those families that are dealing with the loss of these lil children! 🙏