Instead of going on trial, the suspect accused of a 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., is expected to plead guilty to all charges today (Friday), according to 7News Miami’s sources.
Nikolas Cruz, now 23 years old, is set to plead guilty to 17 counts of counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder.
During the Feb. 14 rampage, Cruz allegedly murdered 17 people aged 14 to 49 and wounded others.
Cruz’s attorneys will officially announce their client’s plea on Friday morning, 7News said. The Public Defender’s Office told the outlet that they could not confirm nor deny that Cruz would be pleading guilty.
Cruz previously confessed to the mass shooting of students and staff at the school.
“I found this guy guilty since the last four years,” said artist Manuel Oliver, the father of victim Joaquin Oliver, according to 7News. “That’s the reality. My son is not here. Joaquin is not here.”
In exchange for his guilty plea for life in prison without parole, Cruz’ defense team asked prosecutors to have the death penalty “taken off the table,” 7News said. However, that offer was denied.
“I’m glad it is not that easy to get rid of the death penalty. It’s not like, ‘I’m guilty, now I won’t die because of this,'” said Oliver.
Without a trial, the case is expected to proceed to the penalty phase, said 7News. A jury will ultimately decide if Cruz receives the death penalty or life in prison.
“The defense is hoping to get one juror,” said former Broward County Public Defender Howard Finkelstein. “If one juror out of 12 says he should live, then that is what the verdict will be.”
“I’m hoping this is a big step to some kind of closure,” said former Stoneman Douglas teacher Jim Gard.
Reactions also poured in on social media, including a retweet from Hunter Pollack, the brother of one of those who perished in the massacre.
In addition to charges related to the mass shooting, 7News said Cruz will plead guilty to the November 2018 battery of a Broward County jail guard. Surveillance video first obtained by the outlet showed Cruz rushing and punching Sgt. Raymond Beltran in a brawl.
Related
Related
