FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The defense in the Parkland mass shooting trial rested its case Wednesday, shocking the judge and prosecutors who were unprepared for the start of the next and final phase of testimony.
The abrupt announcement came Wednesday morning and sparked heated criticism from a visibly stunned Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer, who accused defense attorneys of wasting a day of court by not letting anyone else 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 had not made preparations to begin presenting their rebuttal case.
