According to sources Florida judge entered a not-guilty plea for Nikolas Cruz, who faces a possible death penalty for a massacre at a high school in February that killed 17 people and triggered a nationwide walkout of students. Meanwhile Cruz, 19, chose to remain silent during a hearing in Broward County circuit court in Fort Lauderdale.
Meanwhile Judge Elizabeth Scherer then entered the not-guilty plea on his behalf for 17 counts each of first degree murder and attempted murder for the February 14 shooting spree in Parkland. Accordingly Cruz, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and shackled at wrists and ankles, sat alone and kept his head bowed in what is normally the jury box while guarded by a dozen deputies.
Further the nine relatives of victims of the attack at
Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School attended the hearing. "Son of a
bitch," one said as Cruz was led from the courtroom. Moreover State
prosecutors said on Tuesday they would seek the death penalty for the massacre
in which 17 students and staff were gunned down. Florida Republican Governor
Rick Scott has said he supports the death penalty for Cruz.
