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Parkland school gunman sentenced to life in prison Parkland school gunman sentenced to life in prison
(36 minutes later)
Family members of victims vented their anger that the gunman was spared the death penaltyFamily members of victims vented their anger that the gunman was spared the death penalty
The gunman who killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.The gunman who killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
A jury last month recommended the defendant be spared the death penalty, in a decision that took many by surprise. A jury last month voted for the defendant to be spared the death penalty, in a decision that outraged relatives of the victims.
Ahead of the sentencing, family members of the victims delivered emotional messages of grief and anger. Ahead of the sentencing, family members of the fallen delivered emotional messages of grief and anger.
The gunman pleaded guilty in October last year to the 2018 murders.The gunman pleaded guilty in October last year to the 2018 murders.
During emotional statements at the sentencing hearing over the course of two days, family members of the victims addressed the murderer - 24-year-old Nikolas Cruz - without ever using his name. Shackled and wearing a red jail jumpsuit, the killer showed no emotion as Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer formally sentenced him on Wednesday.
"I hope your every breathing moment here on earth is miserable," said Theresa Rabinovitz, whose 14-year-old granddaughter, Alyssa Alhadeff, was among those killed. During emotional statements over the course of two days, family members of the victims addressed the murderer - 24-year-old Nikolas Cruz - without ever using his name.
The jury's decision on 13 October to sentence the killer to life in prison rather than execution outraged many Parkland relatives, some of whom voiced their anger at the sentencing hearing.
Meghan Petty, the sister of 14-year-old victim Alaina Petty, said she felt "betrayed" by the jury and the justice system.
"He has escaped this punishment because a minority of the jury was given the power to overturn the majority decision made by people who were able to see him for what he is - a remorseless monster who deserves no mercy," Ms Petty was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.
Throughout the statements, the masked and bespectacled gunman could be seen looking down or directly at those speaking, showing little visible emotion. He was 19 years old when he entered the school and opened fire using a legally purchased rifle. In addition to the 14 students and three staff members who were killed, 17 people were wounded.
Florida shooting: Who are the victims?Florida shooting: Who are the victims?
Why the Parkland gunman was spared the death penaltyWhy the Parkland gunman was spared the death penalty
Earlier on Wednesday he removed a mask after Jennifer Guttenberg, the mother of Jaime Guttenberg, said it was "disrespectful" of him not to show his face.
Beigel Schulman said she was glad the killer would have to worry about his personal safety for the rest of his days in a maximum-security prison.
Theresa Rabinovitz, whose 14-year-old granddaughter, Alyssa Alhadeff, was among those killed, said: "I hope your every breathing moment here on earth is miserable."
Meghan Petty, the sister of 14-year-old victim Alaina Petty, said she felt "betrayed" by the jury's decision on 13 October to let the gunman live.
Parkland families angrily rebuke gunman in court
Parkland families angrily rebuke gunman in court
"He has escaped this punishment because a minority of the jury was given the power to overturn the majority decision made by people who were able to see him for what he is - a remorseless monster who deserves no mercy," Ms Petty was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.
A former Stoneman Douglas student, he was 19 years old when he entered the school and opened fire using a legally purchased rifle. In addition to the 14 students and three staff members who were killed, 17 people were wounded.
Over the course of a three-month trial, prosecutors sought to prove the crimes were "cold, calculated and premeditated" and met the state's definition of "aggravating factors" warranting execution.Over the course of a three-month trial, prosecutors sought to prove the crimes were "cold, calculated and premeditated" and met the state's definition of "aggravating factors" warranting execution.
The defence team argued that their client was plagued by mental illness, partly as a result of being exposed to drugs and alcohol while still in his mother's womb.The defence team argued that their client was plagued by mental illness, partly as a result of being exposed to drugs and alcohol while still in his mother's womb.
In court, some family members directed their anger at the defence team, prompting public defender Melisa McNeill to unsuccessfully ask the judge to impose restrictions.In court, some family members directed their anger at the defence team, prompting public defender Melisa McNeill to unsuccessfully ask the judge to impose restrictions.
"Karma will eventually catch up to you all," said Patricia Oliver, whose son Joaquin was killed in the incident. "Karma will eventually catch up to you all," said Patricia Oliver, whose son, Joaquin, was killed in the incident.
The shooting reignited the US debate over guns, and prompted a wave of youth-led activism that gained national attention, but failed to achieve its legislative goals such as a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.The shooting reignited the US debate over guns, and prompted a wave of youth-led activism that gained national attention, but failed to achieve its legislative goals such as a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Parkland families angrily rebuke gunman in court
Parkland families angrily rebuke gunman in court