In the sentencing of Nikolas Cruz, the gunman who killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, the jury has recommended he be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The sentencing of Cruz, who was 19 during the shooting but is 24 now, was left in the hands of a 12–person jury who decided between giving the gunman a life sentence or putting him to death.
Cruz was charged with 17 counts of murder for the 17 victims who lost their lives in the shooting. Last year he pleaded guilty to all charges, now he has been given 17 life sentences.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer read the results from the jury, which recommended life in prison over the death penalty.
While some jurors did believe that Cruz should be given the death penalty, he will receive life in prison due to the decision needing to be unanimous.
Parents and families sat in the audience while the judge read the results from the jury, some shaking their heads in response to the decision and others sniffling and crying.
Scherer will make the final ruling in the case on November 1, following the prosecution's motion to have further testimony from the victims heard before the judge makes her decision.
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