The State of Florida wants the death penalty for 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, who has already confessed to being the shooter in the Valentine’s Day tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
For those that follow the blog, you know Terry Lenamon’s son is a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, present on the day of the shooting but thankfully unharmed.
Read, “Terence Lenamon’s Son At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting.”
While many of the victim’s families did not want capital punishment in this case, it appears that the Broward County prosecutors have made their own decision here.
See, “Prosecutors to seek death penalty for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz,” written by Paula McMahon and Rafael Olmeda and published by the Sun Sentinel on March 13, 2018.
Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty for Nikolas Cruz
The State of Florida filed its Notice of Intent today. You can read the complete Notice of Intent here.
Aggravating Factors Asserted by State Attorney
The State of Florida intends to prove the following aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt in support of its desire for capital punishment of Nikolas Cruz:
- Florida Statute 921.141(6)(b);
- Florida Statute 921.141(6)(c);
- Florida Statute 921.141(6)(d);
- Florida Statute 921.141(6)(g);
- Florida Statute 921.141(6)(h);
- Florida Statute 921.141(6)(i); and
- Florida Statute 921.141(6)(k).
See, Notice of Intent pages 2 -3.
And so the sentencing phase of the case begins. The defense will bring forth its allegations of mitigating factors that go against the imposition of the death penalty.
Next Step: the Mitigating Factors
And there will be a trial where a jury will hear arguments from both sides — a process we have discussed so many times before here on the blog, as the Sentencing (Penalty) Phase of a Death Penalty case is where Terry focuses so much of his efforts.