FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The sudden end of the defense case in the Parkland mass shooting trial this week drew criticism of and from the presiding judge, temporarily overshadowing the biggest question at issue — was enough evidence presented to convince a jury to spare the defendant’s life?
It’s impossible to say for sure — juries are notoriously unpredictable. But at least one expert, and some trial observers, say they would not be surprised if the jury in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas mass shooting case were to show mercy toward confessed gunman Nikolas Cruz.
“I would much rather be the defense than the prosecution at this point,” said Nova Southeastern University law professor Bob Jarvis. The state has to convince 12 jurors that Cruz should be sentenced to death, he explained. The defense needs only one to say no. With one vote in his favor, Cruz would be sentenced to life in prison.
