By Anita
The culprit in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting has been formally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Nikolas Cruz, who killed 17 people on February 14, 2018, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday, November 2, after the families of his victims spent two days berating him.
Judge Elizabeth Scherer sentenced him to 17 life terms in prison for the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in suburban Fort Lauderdale.
In addition, Scherer sentenced 14 of the 17 counts of attempted murder to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years to serve and life without the possibility of parole for the remaining three counts of attempted murder. The judge ruled that all counts must be run consecutively.
On October 13, the jury in Cruz’s three-month penalty trial decided 9-3 to sentence him to death, but under Florida law, that verdict must be unanimous in order to be carried out.
Cruz admitted to the judge during interrogation prior to sentencing that he takes medication but can understand what is going on.
After two days of victim impact testimony, which included personal addresses to Cruz from the parents, wives, brothers, and other family members of the deceased as well as some of the injured who were still alive, the sentence was handed down.
The judge praised the families and injured witnesses, describing them as strong, graceful, and patient.
Many family members opposed the law needing jury unanimity for a death sentence during their impact statements. The fact that he would not be executed infuriated the family, who vented their rage.
