FORT LAUDERDALE – The prosecution has rested in the sentencing trial of Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz.
Nikolas Cruz calmly instructed a psychologist why he picked Valentine’s Working day to massacre 17 persons at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School 4 a long time in the past: Mainly because no one particular loved him, he wished to damage the getaway endlessly for any individual linked with the university.
Prosecutors commenced wrapping up their rebuttal situation Thursday by playing that video clip from jailhouse interviews Cruz did with their psychologist hoping it bolsters their rivalry that he wasn’t pushed to kill by a mental dysfunction he couldn’t manage, but planned his assault and chose to have it out.
They are striving to encourage jurors they should really sentence Cruz, 24, to dying for the Feb. 14, 2018, massacre at the suburban Fort Lauderdale school. He pleaded responsible a year back. For the former Stoneman Douglas university student to receive a demise sentence, the 7-guy, five-girl jury should be unanimous. In any other case, his sentence will be daily life without the need of parole.
Cruz’s attorneys have contended through the trial that his delivery mother’s heavy ingesting during pregnancy still left him with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, leading to brain dysfunctions that led to lifelong episodes of weird, erratic and often violent conduct that culminated with the shootings. Just after various attempts that had been blocked by Circuit Decide Elizabeth Scherer, they ended up also equipped to convey to jurors Thursday that Cruz states he was raped and sexually molested quite a few situations by a neighbor when he was 9.
Robert Denney, a Missouri neuropsychologist testifying for the prosecution, interviewed and examined Cruz previous March over a few days – less than Florida law, if defense attorneys argue their consumer has a psychological deficiency, prosecutors get to conduct their have assessment.
Denney testified earlier that he believes Cruz purposely did improperly on exams in an endeavor to mimic intense brain dysfunction. He reiterated his belief Thursday that Cruz does not have fetal liquor troubles, but has antisocial character dysfunction – in lay terms, he is a sociopath.
He explained Cruz understands fact and can command his steps when it satisfies him. He explained that differentiates antisocial temperament disorder from schizophrenia or delusions, where by the individual acts on false feelings they can not manage.
Assistant prosecutor Jeff Marcus performed two movies from Denney’s interviews with Cruz. In the very first, Cruz describes his torture of animals this kind of as toads and lizards as a youngster, an challenge that has been elevated various moments.
“I burned, I tortured them, I skinned them alive, I shot them,” Cruz reported devoid of emotion. “I would engage in with their lifeless bodies or I would consume them.”
In the next online video, Denney asks Cruz as he is ending his second and ultimate working day of interviews is there “anything at all significant that I haven’t requested you?”
Cruz believed for about 10 seconds and then responded, “Why I chose Valentine’s Working day.” He then stated.
“Since I believed no 1 would like me,” Cruz explained. “I failed to like Valentine’s Working day and I desired to damage it for every person.” A comfortable gasp went up from victim’s dad and mom and relations sitting in the courtroom.
“Do you indicate for the family members associates of the children that had been killed?” Denney asks.
“No, for the faculty,” Cruz replied. The holiday will never be celebrated there yet again, he claimed.
Marcus then study off the names of the 17 victims and immediately after every single requested Denney if fetal alcoholic beverages syndrome could clarify why Cruz murdered that person. No, Denney replied 17 situations.
Below cross-examination by protection attorney Casey Secor, Denney conceded Cruz reported in their interviews he had been molested and raped by a neighbor. It is an concern the defense has needed to present quite a few periods, but Decide Scherer dominated that the only three individuals who can corroborate the accusation usually are not obtainable. Cruz adoptive mom, Lynda Cruz, died months ahead of the shootings and the alleged rapist and his mother no for a longer period stay in the United States and are not able to be pressured to look as witnesses.
Prosecutors may wrap up their rebuttal situation later Thursday. Closing arguments would be early future week followed by deliberations.
