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FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida –.

The panel for the sentencing trial of the Parkland high school shooter was sworn in on Wednesday.

Seven males and five females were selected. Opening remarks will commence on July 18th.

The jury comprising of 12 members chosen to determine Cruz’s penalty will supposedly listen to the statements of approximately 2,000 witnesses.

The magistrate will suggest capital punishment to Cruz or those jury members will incarcerate him for the remainder of his existence.

Keep checking this page for the most recent updates during the trial.

Real-time updates:

Summary of Week 11

Days 25 – 26.

The final day of jury selection was expected to begin at 9 a.M. But was delayed to 1 p.M. For unknown reasons.

The 12 jurors were chosen later that afternoon. Seven males and five females were selected.

The jurors were finalized Wednesday at 1:30 p.M. And sworn in so that the court proceedings can take place beginning July 18.

Video below: A glimpse into the eleventh week.

Summary of Week 10

Days 21 – 24.

As per the court records, the trial for sentencing will commence on July 6, even though a jury has not been selected.

The final phase of jury selection commenced on Wednesday with prosecutors and defense attorneys inquiring about the candidates’ employment backgrounds, perspectives on law enforcement and racial minorities, possession of firearms, and ability to cope with viewing distressing crime scene photographs.

On April 4th, the final 83 candidates, who started the three-step process, are being brought back to Judge Elizabeth Scherer’s Circuit Courtroom to undergo questioning for the first two days over the course of two groups.

Some military veterans in the U.S. Said that they own guns. Two of them volunteered in the military and identify as gay. They appeared to be racial minorities, ranging from their 20s through their 60s, at least 17 of them. Among the group of 15 women and 23 men, there are retirees, longshoremen, computer technicians, librarians, a new self-help author, a special education teacher, a human resources manager, a dock loading supervisor, Walmart workers, grocery store workers, a city councilwoman, a fire eater in a circus on stilts, bankers, and an airline pilot. They come from diverse backgrounds.

The potential jurors were also asked about the possible impact of seeing sensitive and graphic evidence, as it could potentially cause strong emotions in them.

The committee is expected to visit the site of the offense at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as part of the legal process.

The final jury selection has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 28th, at 1:30 p.M.

Video below: An overview of week 10.

Summary of Week 9

Days 18 – 20.

Representing public defenders, Nikolas Cruz tried to withdraw from his death penalty trial on Monday after the judge ordered the jury to move forward with the selection of one of their team members, even though five of them were sick with COVID-19.

Elizabeth Scherer, the circuit judge, rejected the motion to dismiss with prejudice filed by Melisa McNeill, the lead attorney for Cruz, on Monday afternoon, saying it was unfair to judge without considering all the evidence.

They said that the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Broward County, in February 2018 has reawakened emotions and made it impossible for him to currently get a fair trial. They also filed a motion to indefinitely delay Cruz’s trial, who is accused of the murder of 17 people in Parkland. Additionally, the defense filed a motion to delay the trial of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2021, which left 21 dead.

Uncommon normality came back to the process of selecting a jury on Tuesday.

In this proceeding, which has not been the norm thus far, prospective jurors were inquired about their opinions on capital punishment and their ability to impartially evaluate Cruz and the prosecution, precisely as intended.

All five individuals from his defense squad were in attendance.

Scherer dismissed the motion, stating that the judge holds a prejudice against Cruz. McNeill’s motion for Scherer to disqualify herself from the case contained a warning from McNeill that her team would not partake if Scherer continued without Secor present, and a caution from Scherer for McNeill to seek guidance from the Florida Bar regarding the penalties she would incur if that were to occur.

At present, McNeill’s team asserts that the shooting has once again stirred up sentiments in Broward County and renders it unfeasible for him to receive a just trial. Yet to be determined is a request by the defense to postpone the trial due to the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which resulted in the loss of 21 lives.

Video below: An overview of week 9.

Summary of Week 8

Days fifteen to seventeen.

On Monday, May 23rd, a potential juror in court wore a T-shirt that could be seen as prejudicial. The woman was wearing a shirt in the colors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which is where a mass shooting took place. Along with the two hashtags “Strong” and “Teachers,” she expressed her support.

The judge excused the lady and all nine other prospective jurors in her group.

On Wednesday, May 25th, lawyers argued whether potential jurors should be directly questioned about the latest tragedy, in which a father’s tears nearly brought the nation’s victim to tears. The trial concerns the killer of a mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas, which invaded the campus of Florida’s latest tragedy.

On Tuesday, 19 students and two educators were fatally shot in the Uvalde, Texas, incidents. The shooter, who was 18 years old, also perished. Lawyers representing Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the Parkland tragedy, disagreed with the prosecution, stating that they should have the opportunity to directly inquire potential jurors about their awareness and emotions concerning these tragic events.

Within her cohort, a significant number of the remaining 12 candidates affirmed by nodding, thereby highlighting the unexpected mention of those incidents by a prospective juror who spontaneously remarked, “We are all aware of the events that transpired yesterday.”

Recap of Week 7

Days 12-14.

Each potential juror was individually questioned by the attorneys during the second stage of jury selection on May 16, with one candidate likening it to being interviewed for “the most challenging job of my life.”

Attorneys asked the jurors about their views on the death penalty and knowledge of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

The first three potential jurors, out of a pool of 400, were questioned for nearly four hours. The extensive questioning was partly due to legal disputes regarding certain questions posed by Cruz’s attorney, Casey Secor. Secor, in particular, thoroughly examined the beliefs of the potential jurors, conducting questioning sessions lasting 45 minutes or longer.

The prosecution, on the other hand, voiced their disagreement multiple times when they felt that Secor’s inquiries crossed a boundary by being excessively focused on the Cruz case — and this occurred after posing a few fundamental queries.

To view a selection of their responses, click here.

Video below: An overview of moving into the next stage.

Summary of Week 6

Day 11.

According to WPBF’s ABC affiliate WPLG, the last potential juror out of the 11 individuals who were called back due to the risk of a mistrial was interrogated and dismissed due to financial difficulties.

The primary defense lawyer remained absent, so the court was adjourned until Monday, May 16th.

Scherer mentioned for the initial time that the trial could extend into October.

Video underneath: Postponement of trial.

Summary of Week 5

Day 10.

Later, this could indicate the establishment for a possible appeal and matters aren’t resolved, which legal professionals stated signifies the judge ultimately overturned her ruling and chose to summon the potential jurors again on Monday.

On Monday morning, only 10 out of the 11 prospective jurors who were called back to the court appeared. The one potential juror who did not return mentioned that they were relocating. The judge stated that this individual will need to be summoned again at a later date.

Nine out of the ten potential jurors who were called back to the court were dismissed due to a scheduling difficulty.

The court concluded on Monday morning for the remainder of the week.

Video: Prospective jurors come back to the courtroom.

Summary of Week 4

Days 7-9.

The commencement of statements was postponed to June 21. They had previously been deferred from May 31.

The prosecution argued that a mistrial should occur when 11 jurors are dismissed. However, Judge Scherer reversed her initial decision after starting over.

Cruz’s lawyers filed a motion Wednesday morning that if the jury sentencing restarts, the death penalty should be taken off the table.

The lawyers said that the judge made an error by letting the potential jurors leave earlier in the process, which would make the error worse by restarting the process and violating double jeopardy and due process rights. They said that the right thing to do would be to bring back the potential jurors for full questioning.

The government stated that resuming does not violate double jeopardy because the jury has not been sworn in yet.

To view the complete documentation, click here.

Nearly 250 potential jurors, who had been told that they could not be called back for further questioning over the next month, were informed that they could sit for a trial-month of four months if they were selected.

Scherer opted to summon the 11 prospective judges back on May 2nd for additional interrogation.

Officials stated that there was concern about a possible altercation as others became “agitated,” prompting them to separate him from the group and form a circle around him after a prospective juror silently uttered potential threats towards Cruz on April 26.

Video below: Judge talks about beginning the process of selecting a new jury.

Summary of Week 3

Jury selection on hold.

Jury recruitment was halted for a week.

On Monday, the judge declared that the trial testimony is postponed by a fortnight. On June 13, what was originally planned for May 31 will now commence.

As per the ABC affiliate WPLG of WPBF 25 News, the postponement will provide time for both parties to get ready for a pre-trial hearing regarding the acceptability of intricate neurological proof.

Video underneath: Trial postponed.

Summary of Week 2

Fourth to Sixth Day

Scherer took the blame for the late afternoon Wednesday confusion, expressing frustration with the attorneys. The jury selection is being conducted only from Wednesdays through Mondays, with the next week off. Both sides are expected to give testimony to expert witnesses.

Scherer, a judge for a decade, expressed, “In which realm does it require three months for the process of selecting a jury?” Nevertheless, she added, “I offer my apologies if I did not fulfill your expectations.”

If granted, the defense may seek a mistrial, which would result in a fresh start for jury selection, further prolonging the trial. The 11 potential jurors who were previously dismissed this month have been issued summonses requiring their return on April 25th, but this procedure could potentially become even more time-consuming.

“I will not repeat that error,” Scherer informed the lawyers.

On Day 4, an entire panel of 60 potential jurors was excused by Judge Scherer because some of them had to leave the courtroom, causing them to be visibly teary-eyed, as reported by WPBF 25’s ABC affiliate WPLG.

The primary reason for being excused remained either financial difficulty or unavailability.

Video below: Summary at the conclusion of Day 6 of the legal proceeding.

Summary of Week 1

First Three Days

The initial screening phase of jury selection commenced.

Many jurors were excused because they stated that a lengthy trial would be an extreme inconvenience or hardship, citing work or family obligations as the reason. It wasn’t until the second day of the questioning process that the discussion about the death penalty began.

Towards the conclusion of the second day, Cruz’s attorneys hinted at the possibility of requesting a mistrial.

After potential jurors were asked if they could follow the law in the case, they responded with “no” when they were asked if they could move back to the defense room before the questions were asked. The suggestion came after 11 potential jurors were asked.

Officials stated that the declaration of a mistrial was halted, prompting a re-examination of those prospective jurors to reconvene at a future date. Judge Scherer expressed her intention to make an effort in this regard. Meanwhile, the prosecutors recommended that the judge instruct the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to send a letter to those jurors, instructing them to return to the courtroom and refrain from discussing the case.

On the first day of the jury selection process, Scherer said she would allow the jury to visit the crime scene inside Building 1200 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Lawyers for Cruz had asked Scherer to argue that it would be prejudicial and unnecessary to visit the block. Prosecutors argued that it was necessary to prove the death penalty.

Once the pre-qualification stage concludes, the jurors who were not excused due to hardship will be summoned again for further rigorous interrogation.

Video below: Summary of the conclusion of day three of the selection procedure.

Background

The Legal Proceedings

For the majority of the upcoming weeks, from Mondays to Wednesdays, approximately four individuals per day will be ushered into the courtroom in batches of 60, as potential jurors.

If asked, each group of five, from September to June, will remain hopeful about Scherer. They will be available. If asked, they can put any animosity aside towards Judge Fairly and Cruz.

FBI transcripts: Informant had cautioned Cruz could “attack a school.”

They do not believe that it should be obligatory for cases of homicide, but they are required to express their willingness to support the imposition of capital punishment if the evidence substantiates such a decision in order to be eligible for jury duty. They will be summoned again in a few weeks for individual interviews. They will complete a survey about their personal histories and convictions, which will later be examined by the attorneys in a separate chamber, where prospective jurors who successfully pass these criteria will be directed.

Both the defense and prosecutors can cause a prospective juror challenge. Scherer will eliminate candidates who her lawyers are convinced would be prejudiced against their side. Each side will also eliminate at least 10 peremptory strikes, where any candidate can be eliminated for any reason except gender or race.

The apology is not acknowledged: Brother of Parkland school shooting victim responds to the statement of the shooter.

The trial comes more than four years after the massacre, because of legal tactics and delays caused by the pandemic.

The judge remarked that the trial for the imposition of a sentence is anticipated to last from four to six months.

Admitting culpability for all allegations

Cruz confessed to his culpability in October 2021 for 17 counts of manslaughter and 17 counts of attempted homicide in the devastating shooting episode.

The legal analysts said that Cruz’s plan is calculated by his attorneys to avoid the death penalty, by pleading guilty to a battery charge on a jail guard — shooting in Parkland, and pleading guilty to all charges.

Video below: Cruz admits guilt in the courtroom.

Cruz said legal experts are hoping that he is taking responsibility for some of his actions, attempting to convince the jury and pleading guilty to attempting to kill more than 17 people and killing 17 others in 2018.

Criminal defense attorney Marc Shiner stated, “He is trying to save his life in the only way he knows, by taking on the responsibility and not putting it on these unfortunate individuals through a trial.”

The suspect in the 2019 massacre at Walmart in El Paso, Texas is still awaiting trial. At least 17 people were fatally shot by the suspect, who either died by suicide or were killed by police during or immediately after their attacks. This makes them one of seven other U.S. Killers.

The outbreak of COVID-19 and extensive legal disputes additionally postponed Cruz’s trial for capital punishment in Florida and many parts of the nation, as these trials typically require around two years to commence due to their intricate nature.

If Cruz is sentenced to death, the Florida Supreme Court will still provide automatic priority review to death sentences in Florida. However, this will not mark the conclusion of the entire process.

Relatives of Parkland school shooting victims respond to admission of guilt

When the possibility of a guilty plea was announced, some of the families of the victims of the Parkland school shooting spoke to News 25 WPBF about their reactions.

“I believe that this particular aspect of the tragedy will accelerate any events that may occur in the following week,” expressed Manuel Oliver, the father of one of the victims. “I do not perceive a clear solution or resolution to make a decision, judgment, or agreement at this moment,” added Manuel Oliver, the father of one of the victims.

Video below: Cruz delivers a statement to the court and the families.

Preparations for the Trial

In the history of Broward County, extensive preparations were made for trial in one of the most notorious crimes in Florida’s past, as it was anticipated to be the largest murder trial.

Cruz, 23, was apprehended approximately one hour following the assault with an AR-15 semi-automatic firearm on Valentine’s Day 2018.

Video below: Footage from the arrest of Nikolas Cruz has been made public.

The prosecutors repeatedly offered the guilty lawyers the opportunity to plead guilty in return for a guaranteed sentence of life in prison, but they refused, pursuing the death penalty.

Video below: Cruz questioning footage made public.

The phase penalty is anticipated to focus heavily on Cruz’s mental condition at the time of the horrific slayings, with prosecutors emphasizing the intensive planning and horrific nature of the crimes.

Video provided below: Chronological sequence of occurrences.

Individuals affected by the Parkland school shooting

On February 14, 2018, there was a devastating event at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in which seventeen students and staff members tragically lost their lives. Furthermore, seventeen people were injured.

Unable to view the visual? Please click here.

Agreement with Broward County School District

The School District of Broward County will provide over $26 million in compensation to the families of the victims.

Board directors authorized the two lawful agreements in December 2021.

A total of $25 million will be divided among 51 claimants, which includes the families of the 17 deceased individuals, as well as the students and staff members who were harmed. In addition, Anthony Borges, who sustained some of the most critical injuries, will receive an additional $1.25 million as a single payment.

Video below: Nikolas Cruz details shooting strategy in video recording.

Four years following the shooting

Many families have expressed that they will never find closure for the loss of their beloved family members.

Students and families transformed into advocates.

After her son is tragically killed in a school shooting, a Parkland parent develops a method to monitor instances of school violence, expressing disbelief that this is now her actuality.

Jim Gard, a mathematics instructor at that time, stated that they were all individuals who suffered.

“These children who were in the classroom, just because they weren’t struck doesn’t mean they weren’t affected,” he stated.

March For Our Lives was born, a movement that emerged in the aftermath of the shooting. Since that day, many victims have refused to simply sit back and do nothing.

David Hogg was among the creators.

Hogg stated, “We approached almost a million.” Hogg mentioned, “At the commencement of the march, we anticipated having around 90 individuals whom we could rally to D.C.”

Video below: Father of Parkland victim displays banner within sight of the White House four years after the tragic incident.

After four years, the March For Our Lives movement continues to thrive with chapters spread throughout the nation.

They have helped pass state laws to keep violent criminals from obtaining guns. They have also worked to secure more federal funding for gun violence prevention.

‘The team needs to win the championship’: The coach pushes the players to work harder and improve their skills.Output: ‘The team must secure the championship’: The coach motivates the players to exert more effort and enhance their abilities.

It has turned into a full-time occupation that nobody desires.

Hogg expressed, “We want to be done with our jobs so that young professionals, young individuals, high school students, or college students can go back.”

Gard and Hogg are both pleased to see the end of this chapter, as they watched the shooter of the Parkland murders plead guilty.