FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The defense in the Parkland mass shooting trial is resting its case.
The abrupt announcement came Wednesday morning and sparked criticism from the judge, who accused attorneys of wasting a day of court by not letting anyone know ahead of time.
There was no prior warning to the public, the prosecution or the judge. Defendant Nikolas Cruz, 23, did not take the stand, and prosecutors were not prepared to begin presenting its rebuttal case. Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer was visibly stunned before launching into a blistering criticism of the defense team.
