A juror in the sentencing trial of Nikolas Cruz reportedly told a court official that he was threatened by a fellow panel member during deliberations on the fate of the Parkland shooter. Prosecutors expressed alarm over the perceived threat in a filing asking Judge Elizabeth Scherer to open an investigation hours after the jury recommended Cruz be sentenced to life in prison. “Juror X spoke with a support staff member and advised the support staff member that during deliberations she received what she perceived as a threat from a fellow juror while in the jury room,” the filing, obtained by CNN. The development comes as other jurors spoke of their frustration at being unable to convince a single “inmate” that Cruz deserved the death penalty. Foreman Benjamin Thomas told CBS Miami that a juror was adamant from the start of deliberations that Cruz should not receive the death penalty because he was mentally ill. The juror has since denied claims in a court filing that she had decided on the sentence before hearing the evidence.
Basic points
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Family members of the shooting victims have packed the public gallery ahead of the verdict. Attorneys for both sides are present, but Cruz has yet to be brought into the courtroom. Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 15:21 1665671244
The victims
Nikolas Cruz killed 14 high school students and three faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day 2018.
Victims of the 2018 high school massacre in Parkland, Florida
Nikolas Cruz has pleaded guilty to the 2018 shooting massacre that left 17 dead at a high school in Parkland, Florida Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 15:27 1665671495
Cruz walks into court
Nikolas Cruz, initially wearing a Covid-19 face mask, is led into the courtroom by law enforcement. He has a conversation with his defense attorney, Chief Assistant Public Defender Melisa McNeil, before the proceedings begin. Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 15:31 1665672289
Reminder: The jury must reach a unanimous decision to recommend the death penalty. If not, their recommendation will be life in prison without parole. Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 15:44 1665672633
The court is now in session
The Court is now back in session with Judge Elizabeth Scherer presiding. Both sides agree they are ready to bring in the jury for the verdict. Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 15:50 1665673667
The verdict forms are read
As each of the 17 verdict forms was read by Judge Scherer, it appeared that the jury had not reached a unanimous decision on the death penalty. The court has so far said there is evidence of aggravating factors in his killings, but they do not outweigh the mitigating circumstances. That would mean a life sentence without parole. Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 16:07 1665673724 Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 16:08 1665674082
The prosecution only needs jurors to recommend the death penalty for one of the 17 victims. So far the jury has not reached a unanimous decision on this Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 16:14 1665674867
The verdict sheets continue to be read and yet there is no category in which the aggravating factors have outweighed the mitigating factors. The jury says that while the prosecution has proven that aggravating factors warrant the death penalty, Cruz’s mental health issues outweigh it. No death penalty is possible at this point. Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 16:27 1665675049
Families are reacting as life in prison looks increasingly likely
Oliver O’Connell13 October 2022 16:30
