Defense Rests
in Parkland Shooter, Nikolas Cruz's , Sentencing Trial.
On September 14, mass murderer
Nikolas Cruz's defense team announced that it was
resting its case in the 23-year-old's sentencing trial.
On September 14, mass murderer
Nikolas Cruz's defense team announced that it was
resting its case in the 23-year-old's sentencing trial.
'The Independent' reports that Cruz's
legal team previously announced plans to call
approximately 80 witnesses to the stand. .
'The Independent' reports that Cruz's
legal team previously announced plans to call
approximately 80 witnesses to the stand. .
However, Cruz's lead attorney, Melisa McNeill,
said the defense was resting after only
calling about 25 of those witnesses.
However, Cruz's lead attorney, Melisa McNeill,
said the defense was resting after only
calling about 25 of those witnesses.
The shocked judge was reportedly forced to put the trial on pause until September 27 as the prosecution said it was unprepared to begin its rebuttal case. .
The shocked judge was reportedly forced to put the trial on pause until September 27 as the prosecution said it was unprepared to begin its rebuttal case. .
The bewildered prosecutors said they
had expected approximately 40 more
defense witnesses to take the stand. .
Cruz's defense team argued that their
client had a troubled upbringing and suffered
from behavioral and developmental issues.
Cruz's defense team argued that their
client had a troubled upbringing and suffered
from behavioral and developmental issues.
On September 13, the last defense witness called
to the stand was Dr. Kenneth Jones, a leading
expert in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
On September 13, the last defense witness called
to the stand was Dr. Kenneth Jones, a leading
expert in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
The doctor testified that Cruz meets the criteria for
someone exposed to alcohol in the womb and suffers from
consequential behavioral and developmental problems.
The doctor testified that Cruz meets the criteria for
someone exposed to alcohol in the womb and suffers from
consequential behavioral and developmental problems.
In October, Cruz changed his plea to guilty
and addressed the court in a brief speech,
apologizing to the 17 victims he murdered.
In October, Cruz changed his plea to guilty
and addressed the court in a brief speech,
apologizing to the 17 victims he murdered.
I am very sorry for what I did,
and I have to live with it every day.
If I were to get a second chance,
I would do everything in my
power to try to help others, Nicholas Cruz, via 'The Independent'