Nicholas Cruz is expected to plead guilty to the Parkland school shooting.

FILE – In this Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, file photo, Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz looks up after crying during day two of jury selection in his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale Fla., on four criminal counts stemming from his alleged attack on a Broward jail guard in November 2018. The lawyers for Cruz said Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, that he plans to plead guilty to the 2018 massacre at a Parkland high school. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool, File)

Ben Burke Producer

U.S.

Attorney for Parkland school shooting suspect says he will plead guilty

Oct 15, 2021

Ben Burke Producer

By Ben Burke (Producer)

Attorneys for Parkland school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz told a circuit judge Friday that Cruz intends to plead guilty to the murder of 17 people on Valentine’s Day in 2018. The video above shows the attorney making the announcement in court. The guilty plea is expected to come during a hearing next Wednesday.

While the anticipated guilty plea will allow Cruz to avoid a jury trial to determine guilt, there will still be a jury trial to determine whether or not he will get the death penalty over the Parkland shooting. The date for that trial has not been set yet. Defense attorneys for Cruz have offered guilty pleas in the Parkland shooting in exchange for a life sentence. Prosecutors had repeatedly rejected that deal, saying Cruz deserves a death sentence.

Preparations were set to begin for jury selection within the next few months. Despite the case being over three years old, it has run into delays. These delays were primarily due to the pandemic, as well as arguments between the prosecution and defense over what evidence and testimony could be presented to the jury.

Some victims’ families had expressed frustration over the delays. The president of Stand With Parkland, a group formed by the families after the shooting, expressed relief after Friday’s announcement of future guilty pleas.

“We just hope the system gives him justice,” Tony Montalto said.

Cruz was not present in the courtroom when his lawyers made the announcement. However, he later appeared to plead guilty to attacking a jail guard nine months after the shooting. The video above also shows him pleading. A trial for those charges was set to begin on Monday.

The shooting sparked a nationwide movement for gun control. Following the shooting, Parkland student activists formed March for Our Lives, a group that rallied hundreds of thousands around the country for tighter gun laws. This included a nationally televised march in Washington, D.C. Parents also made impassioned pleas for accountability and policies aimed at halting gun violence.

David Wheeler, attorney for Nikolas Cruz: “The defense request in the courts set these matters stand for change of plan Wednesday of next week when lead counsel for the Parkland case is going to be here. She is currently out of state and she filed a notice of unavailability for the state but it’s our intent to enter a change of to both cases, to all charges.”

Elizabeth Scherer, Broward County Judge: “Now is the chance if you have any questions for me or your lawyers. Just let me know.”

Nikolas Cruz, Parkland school shooting suspect: “I think I’m good.”

Scherer: “OK. You sure?”

Cruz: “Yes, ma’am.”

Scherer: “All right. sir, in case number 1814129 to count one of the information attempted aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon. How do you wish to plea?”

Cruz: “I plead guilty.”

Scherer: “Count two, battery on a law enforcement officer. How do you wish to plea?”

Cruz: “Guilty.”

Scherer: “Count three, depriving an officer means of protection. How do you wish to plea?”

Cruz: “Guilty.”

Sherer: “And count four, attempted use of self-defense weapon against a law enforcement officer? How do you wish to please, sir?”

Cruz: “Guilty.”

Scherer: “Do you suffer from any physical or mental illness?”

Cruz: “I was told in the past, but I don’t believe I have any issue.”

Scherer: “OK, what did they tell you? You said you were told in the past.”

Cruz: “I was told in the past that I suffered like anxiety, depression.”

Scherer: “OK. And but no formal diagnosis?

Cruz: “No formal diagnosis.”

Scherer: “Right. And how are you feeling today?

Cruz: I’m feeling alight”

Scherer: “I need to advise you that the state is going to be using this conviction and this case as evidence of an aggravating factor for purposes of arguing in favor of the death penalty. Do you understand that?”

Cruz: “Yes, I do.”