Jury rejects death penalty for Parkland gunman

(13 Oct 2022) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: POOL Fort Lauderdale, Florida - 13 October 2022 1. Wide of courtroom, lawyers stand. 2. Wide of courtroom with Nikolas Cruz and others standing 3. Mid of Cruz and lawers. Off-camera UPSOUND (English) Judge Elizabeth Scherer, Florida Circuit Court: "Verdict form as to count one. We, the jury, find as follows as to Nikolas Cruz in this case. Aggravating factors as to count one victim, Luke Hoyer. We, the jury unanimously find that the state has established beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of the aggravating factor Nikolas Cruz was previously convicted of another capital felony or felony involving the use or threat of violence to another person. Yes. We, the jury, unanimously find that the state has established beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of the aggravating factor Nikolas Cruz created a great risk of death to many persons. Yes. We, the jury, unanimously find that the state has established beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of the aggravating factor the first degree murder of Luke Hoyer was committed while Nikolas Cruz was engaged in the commission of a burglary. Yes. We, the jury, unanimously find that the state has established beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of the aggravating factor the first degree murder of Luke Hoyer was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel. Yes." 4. Family members listening as verdict is read, Cruz listening as verdict is read. Off-camera UPSOUND (English) Judge Elizabeth Scherer, Florida Circuit Court: "We, the jury, unanimously find that the state has established beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of the aggravating factor the first degree murder of Luke Hoyer was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification. Yes. Reviewing the aggravating factors that we unanimously found to be established beyond a reasonable doubt, we, the jury, unanimously find that the aggravating factors are sufficient to warrant a possible death sentence. Yes. One or more individual jurors find that one or more mitigating circumstances was established by the greater weight of the evidence. Yes. We, the jury, unanimously find that the aggravating factors that were proven beyond a reasonable doubt outweigh the mitigating circumstances. No. Signed October 13th by the foreperson." STORYLINE: Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz will be sentenced to life without parole for the 2018 murder of 17 people at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, after the jury said Thursday that it could not unanimously agree that he should be executed. The jury's recommendation came after seven hours of deliberations over two days, ending a three-month trial that included graphic videos, photos and testimony from the massacre and its aftermath, heart-wrenching testimony from victims' family members and a tour of the still blood-spattered building. Under Florida law, a death sentence requires a unanimous vote on at least one count. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer will formally issue the sentence later. Cruz, his hair unkempt, largely sat hunched over and stared at the table as the jury's recommendations were read. Rumblings grew from the family section — packed with about three dozen parents, spouses and other relatives of the victims — as life sentences were announced. Many shook their heads, looked angry or covered their eyes. Cruz, 24, pleaded guilty a year ago to murdering 14 students and three staff members and wounding 17 others on Feb. 14, 2018. =========================================================== Clients are reminded: Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/2801ab67cf3349c1b4b1049b8e44f93c