Parkland Shooter Nikolas Cruz's "Insulting" Lawyer Slammed by Judge After Death Penalty Trial Case Rest

Nikolas Cruz's defense team in the trial of the Parkland, Florida, school shooter abruptly ended its case on Wednesday, which prompted the judge to reprimand them for what she called a "degree of unprofessionalism" she had never seen before.

Lead defense attorney Melisa McNeill stated in the introductory remarks that the defense team intended to call 80 witnesses; but, as of Wednesday, just 26 had been called.

Nikolas Cruz Defense Unexpectedly Rests Case

As a result, the defense team's action appeared to surprise the judge and the prosecution, who had come to court anticipating Cruz's defense team to call its first witness of the day.

The judge was subsequently informed by the prosecution that they were not yet prepared to begin with their rebuttal in the case, which stems from the Valentine's Day 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that renewed nationwide calls for stronger gun legislation.

State Judge Elizabeth Scherer continued to blame the defense for "another day squandered" in a trial that had already had multiple delays and postponements without any jurors present. The shooting victim's father, Fred Guttenberg, tweeted in response to the defense's decision to rest its case. Jaime Guttenberg was slain in the incident, CNN reported.

In the Parkland shooting spree, Cruz admitted guilt to 17 charges of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in October of last year. That started the present stage of his trial, which is where his sentence will be decided. Cruz's defense requested a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of release, while the prosecution asked the jury to suggest that he be given the death penalty.

Jurors must all agree on the death penalty in order to recommend it. If they do, the judge may decide to accept their advice or to sentence Cruz to life in prison. State prosecutors might respond as early as September 27. According to the judge, closing arguments might start as early as October 10.

Jury To Decide if Parkland School Shooter Will Receive Death Penalty

Per NY Post, if he receives the death penalty or life in prison, the jury will decide. Cruz's lawyers have claimed that the lighter punishment is appropriate given his severely troubled upbringing; nevertheless, the prosecution claims that Cruz should be put to death for the spree, one of the bloodiest mass shootings in American history.

Cruz's killing spree was captured on graphic surveillance video that was played in court at the beginning of the sentencing hearing. On Valentine's Day 2018, Cruz was caught on security camera footage inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas roaming the hallways of the three-story freshman building and opening fire on students and employees.

According to the prosecution, it showed Cruz shooting some victims multiple times at close range before turning around and killing wounded victims with a second hail of bullets. During the 15-minute muted video, jurors could be seen covering their faces with their hands. The victims' families, who were seated in the gallery, were unable to see it.

A horrified student's terrible cellphone video was also displayed in court. Christopher McKenna, a freshman at the time, testified that he ran into Cruz while using the bathroom in the freshman building's stairwell. Cruz had his semi-automatic gun in his hands.

After telling school football coach Aaron Feis what had occurred, McKenna fled the building. McKenna was one of Cruz's first victims when Feis dragged him away from the gunfire scene and headed toward the building in that direction, The Independent reported.

Students William Olson, Alex Dworet, and Kheshava Manhapuram testified in court as well. They were all enrolled in the same English class as McKenna when Cruz blasted through the door and walls. Despite being shot, they all lived.

The survivors described witnessing their comrade Alex Schacter sprawled over his desk after being tragically shot by bullets in their harrowing testimony. Both 14-year-olds Alaina Petty and Alyssa Alhadeff also passed away in the classroom.

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