AFP
News from the NOS•
The man who shot 17 people at a Parkland high school in 2018 was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. Previously, the jury had already determined that ruling and the court has now upheld that verdict.
In addition to the victims – fourteen students and three employees – 17 people were injured in the incident with the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. Nikolas Cruz, now 24, was expelled from that school a year before he opened fire for threats, intimidation and violent behavior. He pleaded guilty last year.
The judge delivered the verdict separately for each of Cruz’s 34 victims. According to the AP news agency, the killer appeared emotionless. After the verdict, the judge addressed the relatives in court, calling them strict, dignified and patient. “I know you’ll be fine because you have each other,” he told her.
No death penalty
Relatives of the victims hoped that Cruz would receive the death penalty. But the jury, made up of twelve members, did not vote unanimously for what has been necessary for the death penalty in Florida for some years.
Due to Cruz’s mental health problems and other extenuating circumstances, such as her mother who was an alcoholic during her pregnancy, some jurors asked for life in prison instead of the death penalty.
After the jury delivered the verdict, the court decided to postpone the execution of the verdict to give victims and closest relatives the opportunity to make a statement. It happened this week: for the first time in four years, relatives had the opportunity to contact Cruz directly. In court they called him a monster wishing a painful death.
View an excerpt from the statements from relatives below:
Relatives speak for the first time with the perpetrator of the Parkland massacre
The Parkland massacre caused widespread uproar in the United States and sparked further calls for stricter gun laws and increased safety in schools. Students across the country have tried to increase pressure on politicians with protests to do something against gun laws.
The shooting also sparked international protests against gun violence. Under the motto March for our life hundreds of thousands of people, especially young people, took to the streets. The movement began with the Parkland students.
