VERDICT REACHED: Parkland School Shooter Penalty Phase Trial - Day 32

After more than four years, the man behind the Parkland mass shooting will learn his fate. Nikolas Jacob Cruz, 23, is scheduled for his penalty phase to begin Monday, July 18 in Broward County, Florida. You can watch in the player above.

He pleaded guilty last year for opening fire with a semiautomatic rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Cruz killed 17 people–both students and educators: 14-year-old student Alyssa Alhadeff, 35-year-old teacher Scott Beigel, 14-year-old student Martin Duque Anguiano, 17-year-old student Nicholas Dworet, 37-year-old assistant football coach Aaron Feis, 14-year-old student Jaime Guttenberg, 49-year-old athletic director Christopher Hixon, 15-year-old student Luke Hoyer, 14-year-old student Cara Loughran, 14-year-old student Gina Montalto, 17-year-old student Joaquin Oliver, 14-year-old student Alaina Petty, 18-year-old student Meadow Pollack, 17-year-old student Helena Ramsay, 14-year-old student Alexander Schachter, 16-year-old student Carmen Schentrup, and 15-year-old student Peter Wang.

Charges were 17 counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Jurors have to decide whether Cruz will get death, or serve life without the possibility of parole. He apologized at his plea hearing last year but launched into a diatribe against drugs.

From his statement:

I am very sorry for what I did, and I have to live with it everyday, and that if I were to get a second chance, I would do everything in my power to try to help others, and I am doing this for you, and I do not care if you do not believe me, and I love you, and I know you don’t believe me, but I have to live with this every day, and it brings me nightmares, and I can’t live with myself sometimes, but I try to push through because I know that’s what you guys would want me to do. I hate drugs, and I believe this country would do better if everyone would stop smoking marijuana and doing all these drugs and causing racism and violence out in the streets. I’m sorry, and I can’t even watch TV anymore, and I’m trying my best to maintain my composure, and I just want you to know I’m really sorry, and I hope you give me a chance to try to help others. I believe it’s your decision to decide where I go, whether I live or die, not the jury’s. I believe it’s your decision. I’m sorry.

#ParklandShooting #Trial #LawAndCrime

STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK:

LAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:

SUBSCRIBE TO ALL OF LAW&CRIME NETWORK YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

[LouiseB]

Wow is all I have to say. I am shocked & I’m so saddened for all the victims and their families.

[tonymoreno]

2:11:20 – (Audio Begins)
2:17:02 –Judge, Elizabeth Scherer publishes the jury's verdict in the 17 counts brought against NC.
3:08:36 – Judge clarifies that the jury returns a verdict of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
3:10:03 – Judge resets sentencing for Tuesday, Nov 1 @ 9:00 AM EST.
3:10:21 – Court is in recess.
3:13:28 – Verdict Press conference begins.
3:28:42 – Lori and Dr. Ian Alhadeff (Parent's of victim, Alyssa Alhadeff) gives statement and take questions.
3:40:25 – Tony Montalto (Father of victim, Gina Montalto) gives statement and take questions.
3:51:38 – Fred Guttenberg (Father of victim, Jaime Guttenberg) gives statement and take questions.
4:00:31 – Debbi Hixon (Wife of victim, Chris Hixon) gives statement and take questions.
4:10:54 – State Attorney, Harold F. Pryor gives statement to the press.
4:14:06 – Linda and Michael Schulman (Parents of victim, Scott Beigel) gives statement and take questions.
4:25:16 – Lin Chen (Cousin of victim, Peter Wang) gives statement.
4:29:28 – Anne Ramsay (Mother of victim, Helena Ramsay) gives statement and take questions.
4:41:27 – Patricia Oliver and Andrea Ghersi (Mother and sister of victim, Joaquin Oliver) gives statement and take questions.
4:53:49 – Ryan and Patrick Petty (Father and Brother of victim, Alaina Petty) gives statement and take questions.
5:02:59 – Max Schacter ( Father of Victim, Alex Schacter) gives gives statement and take questions.
5:28:02 – Public Defender, Gordon Weeks (Representing the defense team) gives gives statement and take questions.

[AlexP-bgge]

How come Markeith Floyd a cop killer in Orlando gets sentence to death and this kid gets life for killing 17 people … something is wrong in the legal department,

[daniellealexandra]

2:00:40 Max shachter disgusted that the attorney has his arm around Nik. That must have been another slap in the face to see

[CIL]

According to an article from The New York Times:

"Benjamin Thomas, the jury foreman, told CBS Miami that three of the 12 jurors had voted to spare the gunman’s life. One, he said, had been a “hard no” on the death penalty because she believed Mr. Cruz was mentally ill. Two other jurors came to that decision as well, Mr. Thomas added.

“It didn’t go the way I would’ve liked or the way I voted, ” he said, “but that’s how the jury system works.” "

[twebb]

I’m absolutely blown away!!! I feel so bad for these families!!! I’m so sorry!

[justbrandy]

The parents seem to be amazing people so I'm certain each and every one of these children and teachers were amazing as well...I know this is a huge injustice, especially for the families so I just hope if they see this comment they know they have the entire world thinking of them today! Such a tragic ending to such a horrific event!!

[americast]

This is disappointing. The parents were let down. A major kick in the gut. I think what ever juror or jurors voted against the DP would never give the Dp in any case then.

[lordbohundecasio]

The jury had more empathy than he did, All lives are precious but sometimes people forfeit that right by been monsters

[charlottelovato]

I was so upset I couldn't even comment yesterday. This is inhumane and, despicable to say the least. My heart breaks for all the Families. I cannot imagine what there feeling right now. What I do know is, that with what the jury just did is, open the door for future School Shooting's. They won't give it a moments thought because they will now feel like there will be no consequences for there actions. The system had failed once again Wow!!!

[brittanyfromtn]

Even after seeing the crime scene in person and all the video footage there were still people who voted life? I’m sick even thinking that you can see all they saw and still give him life. Did they not hear the medical examiner who literally said that one of the victims head and brain were blown away by him and peter wang was shot 14 times? If this case doesn’t deserve the death penalty then idk what case does 😢 and don’t come at me saying life in prison is worse because it is not. The jury gave him what he wanted which was life and it’s simple as that.

[nzkiwiange]

I was sure they would at LEAST find cause for death penalty for those he shot at point blank range and especially Peter Wang who he shot 12 times and relayed such a graphic description to the psychologist in prison. Just a side note, the way the defence carried themselves was disgraceful. Thank you states prosecution team you did a remarkable job. Sending love to all those families impacted by this crime from New Zealand 🇳🇿. I've watched everyday since the trial started in July, this outcome is devastating! Kia Kaha!

[jayful]

At 1:51, Cruz walks in and sits next the defense attorney and she tells him something, he looks totally surprised and excited.
Could have the defense attorney already known that the Jury had voted “ No” to the the DP ahead of the Judge’s formal announcements?

[glasgowmcglasgowfacevotegr]

The Cousin of Peter Wang hit me hardest - all that raw emotion and upset, and I think I would have sworn just as much

[kimgale]

My heart breaks for the families of the victims and the surviving victims and everyone that was affected by this horrendous tragedy. 💔

[Heatherwash]

Wow Helena Ramsey's family was incredible!! Her mom was speaking straight FACTSSS. There is no justice for these families, my heart cannot fathom the hurt. The disappointment. The absolute grief and trauma on so many levels. I am so so thankful that they have been able to speak both during the trial and now. Their voices deserve to be heard. Absolutely, no justice, but I'm so glad they have a space to speak on the verdict today.

[chandra]

I’m so so sorry to the parents and loved ones and I’m beyond disgusted.

[skepticstoic]

This sets up a very dangerous precedent that if you go out and commit mass murder you will not always forfeit your life but instead get life in prison. Not good.

[rhodium]

I'm livid by this verdict, this opens the door to other mass shooters and the victim's where let down. I believe the state did a great job and the Judge was fair and in charge. My heart hurts for all the victims and the survivor's.

[aportman]

The lady and daughter at 4:42 mark hit the nail on the head with the verdict that the monster essential won with the life without parole verdict...and will continue winning knowing outcome of this unbelievable verdict, for he will continue controlling and reeking havoc on 100s, 1000, 10, 000s families lives 😡😡😡 I have been watching this case pretty closely over the last month or so and I can't believe stunned by this jurors verdict 😠😠😠