FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Nikolas Cruz, who already pleaded guilty to killing 17 people and wounding 17 others, sat at a table with his lawyers during the first day of what’s expect to be a six-month trial to determine whether he gets life in prison or death.
Among the family members in the courtroom were Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was killed; Tom and Gena Hoyer, whose 15-year-old son Luke was killed; and Annika and Mitch Dworet, whose 17-year-old son Nicholas was killed.
The day was devoted largely to hearing from potential jurors who raised their hands when asked if any had unavoidable time commitments that would prevent them from serving in a case that could last through September. By the end of the day, 139 jurors had been excused.
