A gunman who killed 17 people at his former high school has gone on trial in Florida, with jurors set to decide whether he faces the death penalty or life in prison.
The gunman whose name is Nikolas Cruz and only 23 years old, pleaded guilty in 2021 to 17 counts of first-degree murder over the 2018 Parkland shooting. As prosecutors seek the death penalty, defense lawyers are pushing for life in prison without parole.
As prosecutors delivered their opening statement on Monday, July 18, 2022, many of those gathered in the courtroom were visibly emotional. Some families affected by the attack have spoken out publicly in support of a death sentence. The defense, however, is expected to flesh out so-called mitigating factors that they hope will show a life sentence is an adequate punishment for the gunman. It has been more than four years since he stormed a building of Stoneman Douglas while carrying more than 300 rounds of ammunition. Some 14 students and three teachers were killed
As footage from the incident was played in court for the first time, one aggrieved mother covered her ears while another doubled over in loud sobs. Somebody in the room screamed “Shut it off!” as another piece of audio was played. Prosecutors will seek to present evidence of the brutal circumstances of the attack, so-called aggravating factors that they hope will sway lenient jurors.
