The judge overseeing the penalty trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz refused to step down Monday.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer denied the motion, saying only it was legally insufficient. Scherer last week chewed out lead defense attorney Melisa McNeill and her team outside the jury’s presence, accusing them of being “unprofessional” when they unexpectedly rested their case after only about 25 of the 80 witnesses they had told her and prosecutors they intended to testify had been called.
Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty last October to murdering 14 students and three staff members at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. His trial, which began with jury selection in April and testimony in July, is only to determine if he is sentenced to death or life without parole. For him to receive a death sentence, the jury must be unanimous.
David S. Weinstein, a Miami defense attorney and former prosecutor, said the defense is also hoping the motion “tempers the way speaks to both sides in open court.”Article content When McNeill accused Scherer of insulting her in front of her client, Scherer shot back, “You have been insulting me the entire trial,” followed by a list of grievances.Article content“If I would have known earlier this was going to be happening, I would not have dragged you in here,” Scherer told the jurors. She then backtracked, telling jurors they should blame her for any delays.
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