US jury spares death penalty to Parkland high school shooter, recommends life imprisonment
Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz sits during the hearing.
A US jury has recommendedlife imprisonment to Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, who massacred 14students and three staff members at his former high school in 2018.
Last October, Cruz, who is now 24,pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder for the shooting at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
His trial, which began in April, was focused on whether he should receive the death penaltyor life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Cruz’s lawyers argued that his life should be spared, citing his mental and developmental conditions.
But the prosecution continued to press for capital punishment describing Cruz's premeditated crime as heinous and cruel.
On Thursday, the 12-person jury in Floridareached a decision recommending prison for life for Cruzafter hearing weeks of gut-wrenching testimonies.
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Under Florida law, the decision to recommend a death should be unanimous or else Cruz will receive a sentence of life in prison.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer, who is presiding the case,will formally issue the life sentenceon November1.
The Parkland shooting was one of the most gruesome gun attacks in US history. Following the incident, there were renewed calls for tighter gun control across the country.
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