Parkland School Massacre: Shooter Nikolas Cruz To Face 17 Counts Of Murder

Nikolas Cruz has agreed to plead guilty to all charges stemming from Florida’s 2018 Parkland school shooting tragedy. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 17 people and wounded another 17.

According to WSVN Miami, the 23-year-old confessed shooter (per Local10) will plead guilty to 17 charges of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder.

PARKLAND, FL – FEBRUARY 14: People are brought out of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after a shooting at the school that reportedly killed and injured multiple people on February 14, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Numerous law enforcement officials continue to investigate the scene. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Reports said the plea agreements would enable the defendant to avoid an emotionally charged trial and go directly to the sentencing phase. The jury will then determine it.

According to the station, Cruz is also expected to plead guilty to an attack on a Broward County corrections officer in CCTV footage.

Parkland School Shooting: Suspect Would Plead Guilty Without Parole

Cruz’s attorneys earlier said that he would plead guilty if prosecutors removed the death sentence without parole from the equation. The state rejected a proposal.

Former Broward County Public Defender Howard Finkelstein, Cruz’s attorney, told 7News that by confessing to the murder and without putting victims and families through a trial, Cruz’s attorney expects to have an advantage when it comes to determining whether he should live or die.

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The battery trial was supposed to begin last week, but it was postponed. It was supposed to start next week, but there will be no trial this time.

Cruz reportedly rushed into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School with an assault weapon and opened fire on students and staff. According to New York Post, he sobbed loudly in court last week when authorities took away his Pokémon coloring book.

The disturbed GED student, who was 19 at the attack, had a gun obsession. He even told the teacher that he is a “bad kid” and “[wants] to kill.” 

Netizens React On US’ Worst High School Shooting Yet

The massacre is still the worst high school shooting in United States history, New York Post said. On social media, many were reacting to the Parkland school massacre update.

Cruz’s death sentence is not universally supported, some said. Cameron Kasky, a 2018 MSD student, tweeted that the death sentence is outdated and too harsh. She went on to say that this isn’t the Stone Age.

Meanwhile, Meadow Pollack’s brother, Hunter Pollack, said in The Sun‘s report that it is time for this individual to be sentenced. According to Pollack, families deserve justice. He also said that it had been delayed for about 1,330 days.

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