Judge enters not guilty plea for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz (Death penalty case)

CN N ^ | March 14, 2018 | Jason Hanna & Eliott C. McLaughlin

[Beautiful_Gracious_Skies]

A judge entered a plea of not guilty on Nikolas Cruz's behalf as the teen was arraigned Wednesday in last month's massacre at a South Florida high school -- on the same day students across the country walked out of class to demand stricter gun laws because of the killings.

A Broward County grand jury last week indicted the 19-year-old gunman on 17 counts of premeditated murder in the first degree and 17 counts of attempted murder in the first degree. Wednesday's plea in a Fort Lauderdale court came after Cruz's defense attorney told the judge that the teen was standing mute to the charges -- meaning he was declining to enter a plea.

Cruz, wearing a red jail jumpsuit, largely kept his head down as he sat in a jury box with three law enforcement officers standing behind him. Cruz killed 17 people -- both students and school staff -- at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14, in one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern US history.

He confessed to being the gunman, according to a probable cause affidavit released shortly after his arrest. Prosecutors to seek death penalty Prosecutors announced in court filings Tuesday that they will seek the death penalty.

They listed several factors, including that Cruz knowingly created a risk of death for many people and that the shooting was "especially heinous, atrocious or cruel."Read the notice of intent for yourself. The head of the county's public defender's office, which is representing Cruz, said last month that there is no question Cruz is guilty, and that he was willing to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty.

[Beautiful_Gracious_Skies]

Average time on Florida death row is 14.9 years.

[rjsimmon]

Why the F*K would the judge do that? The POS already confessed.

[wheresmyusa]

Yeah, i’m confused.

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[AppyPappy]

Because he didn’t admit guilt in court. They need to start leaving nooses in his cell.

[Blogger]

Withdrew his confession, and there are eye witnesses including two teachers that indicate perp had a face mask on so that they didn’t see who it was. 1 of the teachers says he was in full metal tactical gear and had a rifle like none she had ever seen and her first response was “why are the police here?” Perp was 20 feet away from her so unlikely she was mistaken.

[plain talk]

Read the last sentence of the excerpt. A guilty plea precludes death penalty. A plea of not guilty allows the death penalty.

[rjsimmon]

Then is it within the realm of possibility that they apprehended the wrong person?

[Pollster1]

I am not convinced that anyone in office is looking out for the people on this criminal case. The FBI and Broward County Sheriff’s office both completely dropped the ball on several dozen specific warnings about this guy as a school shooter. Next, the Broward County Sheriff’s office stayed outside the school during the shooting, intentionally, either out of cowardice or malice, and prevented outside SWAT from entering the building. And now the judge is advocating for the leftist mass murderer. It’s almost like America’s enemies have chosen an ugly path and are guiding us down it.

[rjsimmon]

A guilty plea precludes death penalty.

In what universe should this be a reality? Much like the Salem witch trials, if you plead guilty to being a witch, you were spared. Asinine.

[Drew68]

Why the F*K would the judge do that? The POS already confessed.

Death penalty cases require a trial.

[COBOL2Java]

Read the last sentence of the excerpt.

What??? Read the excerpt???

Don't you know that FReepers only comment from reading the title of the thread??? LOL

[plain talk]

Yeah. I’m guilty of not always reading articles. But I always read the excerpt before posting. But hey everyone is in a hurry these days. :-)

[Bratch]

It would deprive high-powered attorneys the opportunity of getting the little snowflake acquitted, thereby making their careers (see Clarence Darrow, F. Lee Bailey, Johnny Cochran, etc).

Judges know where their bread is buttered.

[rktman]

Uh, the AR-15 is responsible not the poor demented kid.

I guess I better do the “/S” huh?

[cdcdawg]

This thing makes about as much sense as the Las Vegas shooting, meaning none at all.

[Moonman62]

A guilty plea precludes death penalty.

...

That’s the deal his defense wanted, but he’s not going to get it.

[Blogger]

Yes. Or didn’t apprehend everyone. The two students gave eyewitness reports that there was more than one shooter. One said the shots came from the other end of the building shortly before Cruz was walking out next to her. No mention of him being dressed oddly. The second said a “kid” shot into the room and that there were 3 shooters. Don’t think she saw the three, but she said specifically it was a kid and not someone with a mask and tactical gear. Male teacher said he didn’t know it was Cruz because he was wearing a mask. Shot straight at the teacher. The other teacher is the one that gave testimony on Good Morning America of a man in tactical gear.

[Moonman62]

The confession can be presented as evidence in court.

He withdrew his not guilty plea and stood silent. The judge usually enters a not guilty plea when the defendant stands silent.

[skr]

A guilty plea saves a lot of tax dollars and investigative resources at the outset.