(Crime): Parkland 2018 School Shooter Sentenced to Life Imprisonment without Parole

The gunman, Nikolas Cruz who murdered 17 people in 2018 Parkland school shooting has been formally sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 without the possibility of parole. He was sentenced in a Florida Court, where he was verbally confronted by furious parents and family members.

The incident took place on February 14, 2018. He formally received a sentence of life imprisonment without parole after families of the 17 murdered victims spent two days berating him in court.

The presiding Judge, Elizabeth Scherer sentenced him to 17 life terms for the grievous massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in suburban Fort Lauderdale.

The Judge additionally imposed a sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years to serve on 14 of the 17 counts of attempted murder, and life without the possibility of parole for the remaining three counts of attempted murder. All counts are to run consecutively.

The jury in Cruz’s three-month penalty trial voted 9-3 on October 13, 2022 to sentence him to death. However, Florida law requires unanimity for that sentence to be imposed. In anger and anguish during their Impact Statements, many family members criticized the law requiring jury unanimity for a death sentence.

When questioned by Judge Scherer before sentencing, Cruz acknowledged that he is on medication but could understand what was occurring.

The judge commended the families and wounded who testified, calling them strong, graceful, and patient.

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