Majory Stoneman Douglas High School

Death Penalty Trial for Parkland Shooter Set for January

Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz's death penalty trial will begin in January 2020, according to a court order.

Almost two years after Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz went on a rampage and killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, his death penalty trial is scheduled to start in January 2020.


According to a court order issued Thursday by Florida Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer, pretrial motions will be heard on Jan. 13 and jury selection is set to begin Jan. 27.


Cruz has been locked up since the shooting in February 2018, according to CNN.


The Broward state attorney is seeking the death penalty. 


Prosecutors rejected Cruz’s defense team’s offer of a guilty plea in exchange for life in prison without the possibility of parole, if prosecutors took the death penalty off the table.


With Cruz not making a plea, the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.


Cruz, who already confessed to the shooting, is facing 34 counts of premeditated and attempted murder of 17 people. 


About the Author

Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • How a Rural School District Enhanced Safety, Reduced Vaping, and Improved Efficiency by Modernizing Security

    As educational leaders, our primary mission is creating safe, productive learning environments where our students can thrive. Today, that unfortunately means addressing ever-evolving challenges that range from security threats to the growing epidemic of student vaping, all while managing tight budgets and (for many of us) geographically dispersed facilities. Read Now

  • Turning Surveillance Into Strategy: AI’s Role in Driving Proactive Security

    Video surveillance has long been part of the campus safety toolkit, indispensable for investigating security incidents after they occur and a valuable tool for proactive deterrent. Read Now

  • A.C. Camargo Cancer Center Enhances Security, Patient Care with Help from Advanced Video Surveillance

    A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, a leading oncology treatment center in São Paulo, Brazil recognized for its history of innovation, today announced that its partnership with Axis Communications has produced savings of more than $2 million over its first two years, all of which will be reinvested in patient care. A.C. Camargo has deployed more than 2,000 state-of-the-art video surveillance cameras throughout the Center’s corridors, complex care units, and parking lots, embracing a more holistic approach to security that emphasizes patient and employee safety along with improved quality of service. Read Now

  • 2025 Secure Campus Award Winners Announced

    Campus Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 Secure Campus Award winners. Twenty companies are being recognized this year for products that help keep education and business campuses safe. Read Now