Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz 'faked' psychiatric symptoms after shooting, expert says

Nikolas Cruz faked numerous psychiatric symptoms and lied about events in his past, a psychiatrist hired by the state of Florida testified during Cruz's sentencing phase of his death penalty trial. Cruz, 23, faces a possible execution for killing 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018.

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[juantwothree]

To summarize: Cruz understands the difference between right and wrong. He just chooses to do wrong and plans to escape accountability.

[dirkrose]

This psychiatrist is certainly a good teacher. The video can be used for decades as a lesson in social pathology.

[silvaskiproductions]

"what pretending to be crazy looks like"

[kayh]

He's trying to manipulate everyone just by his behavior. Big dorky glasses, needy attire(not professional in a courtroom). Clean shaven face and goofy haircut to mimic a young, confused boy when he's 24 years old. Coloring in the court room to appear aloof and unaware. It's all a show.

[RandomEnvironmentArtist]

The original interrogator was great, didn’t believe a word out of his mouth “Your demon has requested an attorney, does the demon have one in mind?”

[Lympthmode]

I'm gonna die of old age before this trial ends.

[tishawhite]

This doctor is all they need. He’s making this information so understandable

[annamathe]

As a Health Psychologist from Europe, the way this psychiatrist explained everything in such detail, really makes me proud of my profession and the professionals in it.
Really all I can comment is ...WOW. The presentation was objective, and just truly great to watch.
Anyways, I send healing to all of the family members and everyone who was affected by this horrible crime.

[imalemming]

Let me break it down in real Layman's terms: He dressed in the school-distributed JROTC garb, killed a bunch of kids he didn't even know, tried to blend in with other kids afterward, tried to get a ride home, then lied about HEARING VOICES from the devil as he was being apprehended. He planned it, he's a liar and not even a good one. There. I just saved us all hours of needless chatter. Let's instead talk about the bright futures he snuffed out.

[evonne]

Thank God they caught him in this. I have seen the tape of him being interviewed once captured, its obvious he's faking from the get-go. He knew what he did was wrong and by his own choice. He was not driven by feaking voices either. Schizophrenics are the most stigmatized because of people like him. He tried to capitalize on that. He's exploitive to others and does not care who he hurts, he is and always will be a killer.

[katiem]

He was no idiot. He knew what he was doing, has good recall and can communicate clearly and plan. Prosecution has won their case I think.

[srlkiller]

as a forensic psychologist, this man gave some of the best definitions & examples of cluster b personality disorders. i felt like i was back in my University lectures all over again.. i was so tuned in!

Also with the ‘faking symptoms’ - I watched the interrogation as soon as it was posted after the crime… i watched the whole 3 hours. it was very clear this was not a ‘psychotic break/episode’ & he did not have any cluster c personality disorder symptoms… he didn’t show true GENUINE signs of psychosis or schizophrenia but he was TRYING to act/show what he thought these would be in order to manipulate the detectives & the system. i recommend watching if the case interests you or if you want to see some very poor attempts at ‘faking’ psychotic symptoms.. a lot of the common devil/demon talk & false auditor & sensory hallucinations. he was able to switch everything on & off to his benefit.

[hil]

This is the most normal psychiatrist I have ever seen in a trial. Most of them are kind of quirky or loopy looking.

[kenandkathryn]

Poor guy, it's part of growing up. I didn't like it when my husband left me and my two children. I hot through it without hurting anyone. So shooting up innocent people and destroying their lives forever never crossed my mind.

[ozzieluvaya]

I have said Nicholas Cruz is a manipulator since the beginning

[allisonjames]

Wish we could see full video of this psychiatrist’s actual interviews of Cruz

[johnhmielewski]

I can't believe I was 38 when this happened and now I'm 41 watching Nicholas doodle without cuffs in a nice comfy sweater still not dead yet, just chillin and whispering to his homies lol incredible!

[thedudesmom]

I could learn from this man all day. Such a good explainer.

[karimah]

I took psychology in college for my police studies degree and the psychiatrist expert explained things better than what I learnt in class this feels like a refresher course to me.

[franciscovalladolid]

Life, without parole, case closed ! The horror, parents, are going through, sad, for them