Jury recommends life in prison without parole for Parkland gunman.

Jury recommends life in prison without parole for Parkland gunman.

A Florida jury has recommended a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for Nikolas Cruz, the gunman who killed 17 people, including 14 students and three school staff members, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018.

Cruz pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in October 2021. The murder counts carried a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison with no parole.


The trial to decide whether to sentence Cruz to life in prison or the death penalty began in July.

Prosecutors wanted the death penalty because the crime was especially heinous or cruel.  The defense had asked for life in prison, arguing that Cruz suffered throughout his life from mental disorders and developmental delays. The jury had to reach a unanimous decision for the death sentence.


After a day of deliberations, they recommended life without the possibility for parole in all cases.

A sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 1.