FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jurors deliberated without reaching a verdict Tuesday in the case of former Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Scot Peterson, the school resource officer accused of child neglect for taking cover instead of pursuing the gunman during the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Even if he is convicted, it’s unlikely someone like Peterson, with 32 years in law enforcement and no prior convictions, would be sentenced to a significant prison term. The charges come with no minimum and a maximum of more than 90 years. It is likely that he would lose his pension if the jury finds him guilty.
Prosecutors say Peterson knew the 1200 building was the location of the mass shooting, where 17 were killed and another 17 injured by gunfire, but chose to run to a tactical position of cover instead of heading toward the shots and potentially saving lives. Defense lawyers say Peterson did not know the source of the gunfire.
Deliberations will resume Wednesday at 9 a.m. Eastern time.
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