GUILTY FL - 17 killed in Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Parkland, 14 Feb 2018 #4 *Arrest*

[YESorNO]

Investigation Clears Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas Security Specialist (with clip)

October 15, 2019

"PARKLAND (CBSMiami) – On February 14, 2018, as 17 students, teachers and staff were murdered, Kelvin Greenleaf worked as the security specialist at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Despite numerous security lapses on that tragic day, a law firm hired by the Broward School District to investigate Greenleaf’s actions determined that “there is insufficient evidence to support that Mr. Greenleaf violated any existing policy, procedure or Essential Performance Responsibility of Security Specialist.”...."

Investigation Clears Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas Security Specialist

 

[SeesSeas]

Pasco School Resource Officer Fired After Gun Discharges in Cafeteria
PUBLISHED 6:03 PM EDT Oct. 16, 2019
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the school resource officer whose gun discharged in a middle school cafeteria in April was fired Wednesday.
[...]
Authorities initially said SRO Jonathan Cross was leaning against a wall in Thomas E. Weightman Middle School on April 30 when the gun fired. Nocco said Wednesday that an investigation found Cross was moving the gun up and down in its holster, and that's what caused the weapon to fire.
[...]
Nocco said Cross has been employed with the Sheriff's Office since 2005 and has been stationed at Weightman for two years. According to the sheriff, Cross admitted to having a habit of "fidgeting" with his gun, and a student also told investigators he had seen Cross "fool" with the gun in the past.
[...]

APRIL 30, 2019
Officials: Pasco SRO Deputy Accidentally Discharged Gun in School Cafeteria
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is investigating an incident at Weightman Middle School in Wesley Chapel after a School Resource Officer deputy accidentally discharged his firearm.

Pasco resource officer's gun goes off, hits cafeteria wall at Weightman Middle School
The firearm was holstered and fired into a cafeteria wall while the deputy was leaning against it, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. No one was injured.

School Resource Officer's gun accidentally fires in cafeteria of Wesley Chapel middle school
Deputies say the SRO was in the cafeteria, leaning against the wall when his holstered, duty-issued firearm accidentally discharged into the wall behind him. The gun fired directly into the wall and no students were in danger, according to the Sheriff's Office. There were no injuries to any students, the staff or the School Resource Officer.

Deputies: Pasco school officer's gun discharges in cafeteria, no one injured
Shortly after the incident, the Florida Education Association released a statement on Twitter saying "This should serve as a cautionary note before the Florida House takes up #SB7030 which seeks to put more firearms on the Florida's public school campuses."
The Florida House was taking up SB-7030 Tuesday afternoon.

School resource officer accidentally discharges gun in middle school cafeteria
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is expected to release more information late Tuesday afternoon.

 

[YESorNO]

Trial date set for accused Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz

Oct 17, 2019

"...According to the judge's orders, pretrial motions will be heard in Broward County from January 13, 2020 through January 24, 2020.

Jury selection will then commence on Monday, January 27, 2020...."

Trial date set for accused Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz

 

[YESorNO]

As trial nears, hearing set in Florida school shooting case

October 23, 2019

"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — As his death penalty trial draws closer, a hearing is set for Florida school shooting defendant Nikolas Cruz in the 2018 massacre that killed 17 people.

The hearing Wednesday likely concerns the setting of timelines leading up to the planned January trial of the 21-year-old Cruz. It also could involve a discussion of the possible use of the insanity defense....

Jury selection in his trial is set to begin Jan. 27."

As trial nears, hearing set in Florida school shooting case

 

[YESorNO]

Cruz lawyers seek to shield experts identities

October 23, 2019

"TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (News Service of Florida) — Attorneys for accused Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz asked the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday to take up a dispute about whether the identities of Cruz’s expert witnesses can be temporarily shielded from public disclosure.

The attorneys went to the Supreme Court after the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled that the names of mental-health experts visiting Cruz in jail are public records.

But in the filing Tuesday, defense attorneys contended that temporarily preventing the release of the names is needed to ensure a fair trial for Cruz, who is charged with murdering 17 people in February 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland....."

Cruz lawyers seek to shield experts identities
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'I expect this case to go to trial in January,' judge tells lawyers for Nikolas Cruz (with clip)
Parkland school shooter's attorney says defense 'will not be ready for trial'

October 23, 2019

"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A Broward County judge stood firm Wednesday with the scheduled start date for the trial of Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz.

"I expect this case to go to trial in January," Judge Elizabeth Scherer told defense attorneys during a hearing ahead of the 21-year-old's death penalty trial.

Scherer set jury selection to begin Jan. 27.

Defense attorneys argued that they don't have enough time to adequately prepare for trial.

"I can assure you that we will not be ready for trial on Jan. 27," assistant public defender Melisa McNeill said....

McNeill told Scherer the trial date is "unrealistic," but Scherer refused to change the date.

"This is not going to drag on for years and years and years," Scherer said."

'I expect this case to go to trial in January,' judge tells lawyers for Nikolas Cruz

 

[MsJosie]

Judge: School shooting defendant must attend more hearings

Nikolas Cruz appears in Broward County court twice on same day

2nd link has a video clip

Nikolas Cruz was in court twice on Nov 1, 2019.

The hearing was to get Cruz’s charges dismissed from Nov 2018 when Cruz “attacked” a guard and tried to get the guards stun gun.

Cruz faces charges also on attempted “aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and attempted use of an electronic or chemical weapon against a law enforcement office in connection” with above incident.

his lawyers tried to get the motion postponed and then waved but the Judge denied this.

The Judge explained to Cruz his right to be present and that he can talk to his attorneys on this matter in regards to the jail attack. Cruz wanted to waive his right to be present. Then the Judge had Cruz swear under oath he understood what waiving his rights on appearing were and asked him several questions.

when asking question, one was how old was Cruz. He is currently 21 but said he was 19.

Cruz told the Judge he did not want to appear anymore in pretrial hearings. At first his lawyers were successful in getting the request granted. Later Judge Elizabeth Scherer then denied this request and said “from this point forward I am going to find that the defendant must be present for all substantive hearings” “this is my final ruling”.

The Judge said only the first appearance that day was Cruz excused from.

the Judge said defense and prosecutors can do whatever they felt they needed to if they disagreed.

Lawyers for Cruz said he will plead guilty to the school shooting where 14 students and 3 faulty were killed. Lawyers said Cruz would plead guilty in exchange for LWP.

Prosecutors said no deal.

The Judge did the following

- deferred judgement on a motion
- denied another motion that would have have stopped the prosecution from going for DP
- denied defense lawyers “access to list of victims who testified before a March 2018 grand jury”


Cruz appeared in a red jumpsuit, large glasses and his hair was longer.

Nov 18 2019 at 1:30 pretial motions will continue

Jan 27, 2020 trial starts

 

[JerseyGirl]

Alleged school shooter Nikolas Cruz files motion to dismiss judge from case

Nikolas Cruz filed a motion Monday to remove Judge Elizabeth Scherer from his murder trial.

According to court documents, Cruz's defense team has expressed concerns over Scherer, citing issues with court reporting, as well as her communications with the prosecution team. The defense claims this raises concerns that Scherer will not remain impartial.

 

[SeesSeas]

Former Broward County Sheriff Files Lawsuit Against Gov. Ron DeSantis
PUBLISHED 7:35 AM EST Nov. 24, 2019
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — Former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has filed a 32-page lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Senate.

His lawyers think it all comes down to politics, saying the decision was "purely partisan" and the governor had no valid reason to remove him.

Israel was accused of mishandling the response to the shooting that killed 17 people at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Before the shooting, Israel had changed his department's policy to say deputies "may" confront shooters, instead of "shall."

Critics say that gave deputies an excuse for not confronting alleged gunman Nikolas Cruz during the February 2018 shooting.
[...]

Sheriff removed after Parkland shooting running for old job
July 1, 2019
"FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida sheriff who was removed by the governor from his elected office after a school shooting that left 17 people dead is running for his old job in 2020.

Former Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel filed paperwork Monday stating his intention to run in the August 2020 Democratic primary...."

Sheriff removed after Parkland shooting running for old job

 

[SeesSeas]

Hillsborough school security officer pawned his service weapon, carried pellet gun at school
December 6, 2019
SEFFNER — During a recent surprise equipment check, a supervisor expected to find a Glock pistol in Hillsborough school security Officer Leroy King’s holster.

Instead, deputies say, King was carrying a pellet gun.

“The supervisor began asking questions and (King) began formulating several different stories about where his firearm was,” Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said at a news conference Friday.

Investigators soon learned the truth. King, a 36-year-old Hillsborough school security employee assigned to Mango Elementary in Seffner, had pawned his duty-issue .40-caliber handgun six times between June 28 and Nov. 12, an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office found. He paid the pawn shop back on the previous occasions to recover the firearm.

He also pawned his ballistic vest for $125 on Oct. 18 and his TLR1 Streamlight weapon-mounted light for $50 on Nov. 12.
[...]

Ex-Pinellas School Guard Facing Charges Over Pawning Gun
PUBLISHED 7:51 AM EDT Sep. 19, 2019
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A former Pinellas County school guardian is facing charges after authorities said he pawned his issued firearm and equipment for gas money.

• Ex-Pinellas school guardian charged with pawning equipment
• Erick Russell charged with five counts of false verification
• Authorities said Russell pawned his gun and issued-equipment multiple times

[...]

 

[SeesSeas]

Attorneys for Nikolas Cruz seek more preparation time in upcoming murder trial
December 9, 2019
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Attorneys for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz are asking a Broward County judge to delay his upcoming murder trial.

A motion filed Monday seeks to continue the trial, scheduled to begin next month, until a later date to give defense attorneys more time to prepare.

Cruz is set to go to trial Jan. 27, less than two years after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that claimed the lives of 17 people.
[...]
The motion claims that, if the trial begins as scheduled, "the 20-month period defense counsel will have had to prepare the case for trial is less than half the median preparation time that Broward circuit courts have permitted for the preparation of capital cases over the past two decades."

It goes on to say that starting the trial in January "would bring this case to trial faster than 33 of the 38 death penalty cases in Broward County since 1994."
[...]
Cruz briefly appeared in court Monday for a scheduled hearing, but after having a private conversation with attorneys from both sides, Scherer called for recess until Tuesday.

 

[SeesSeas]

Watch Live: Nikolas Cruz Defense Goes to Court over Evidence Dispute
December 9th, 2019
There’s a pretrial hearing scheduled for Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the murder case against Nikolas Cruz, 21. You can watch in the player above.
[...]
A hearing was briefly held Monday, December 9, but it ended after a sidebar. Jury selection in his trial is set to begin January 27, 2020, but the defense filed a motion Monday requesting for the case to be pushed back. They argued that they’re being rushed too fast, and were given less time than is customary for capital cases.
[...]

 

[JerseyGirl]

Cruz briefly appeared for a scheduled hearing where his attorneys requested a delay in his upcoming January trial.

The defense said they need more time to prepare.

Nikolas Cruz’s attorneys request delay for upcoming trial

 

[SeesSeas]

Cathy Russon‏ @cathyrusson 3h3 hours ago
WATCH LIVE: #NikolasCruz is back in court for a pretrial hearing. The defense has filed a motion to delay the Jan. 27 trial. https://lawandcrime.com/live-trials/live-trials-current/nikolas-cruz/watch-live-nikolas-cruz-defense-goes-to-court-over-evidence-dispute/ …

Cathy Russon‏ @cathyrusson 3h3 hours ago
#NikolasCruz - Now arguing defense motion 109 - Notice to court of Broward Sheriff's office non-compliance with the court's order to turn over discovery in a timely manner. https://lawandcrime.com/live-trials/live-trials-current/nikolas-cruz/watch-live-nikolas-cruz-defense-goes-to-court-over-evidence-dispute/ …

Cathy Russon‏ @cathyrusson 2h2 hours ago
#NikolasCruz - Hearing recap: Judge denied defense motion to require sheriff's office to send discovery updates every 30 days saying they shouldn't be required to send an update if nothing new happened. Dec. 19, at 3 p.m. for a hearing on the defense motion to continue the trial.

 

[SeesSeas]

Judge to consider delaying trial start in Parkland massacre
Associated Press•December 10, 2019
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The judge overseeing the case of Florida school shooting defendant Nikolas Cruz said Tuesday she will consider a defense request to delay the start of trial beyond late January.

Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer set a Dec. 19 date for arguments on the motion by defense lawyers who claim the case is moving much too swiftly and runs the risk of legal errors. That could mean a conviction of Cruz might be reversed on appeal, sending it back for another high-profile trial.

Prosecutors have been pushing hard to start the trial with jury selection beginning Jan. 27. Broward State Attorney Mike Satz, who is the chief prosecutor on the case, said the motion to delay trial must be heard quickly.
[...]

 

[MsJosie]

Shocking video shows Parkland shooter circling and then attacking a prison guard behind bars | Daily Mail Online

Nikolas Cruz who’s trial is delayed until this summer attacks a guard in jail. Happens in 2018, video just released now.

Video show him walking around tables. Guard asks him to pick up,his feet not to,shuffle. Cruz gives finger gesture and attacks guard. Cruz and guard fight over taser, it goes off but does not hit anyone. Guard gains control of taser. Guard handcuffs Cruz and he is lead away.

 

[SeesSeas]

South Florida schools honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas victims on 2nd anniversary
FEBRUARY 14, 2020
PARKLAND, FLA. (WSVN) - On the second heart-wrenching anniversary of the Parkland shooting, a moment of silence was held in honor of the 17 victims who lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

District officials said out of the 3,000 students who attend school at MSD, only 500 are expected to show up on this somber Friday.

Parkland shooting: Friday marks 2-year anniversary of shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS
10:40 AM, Feb 14, 2020
Exactly two years ago Friday, a gunman entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and killed 17 students and teachers. Another 17 people were injured in the mass shooting.

On Friday, the Parkland community will mark the tragic anniversary of the shooting with a series of events at nearby Pine Trails Park, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Among the events that will take place is a moment of silence, which will occur at 2:21 p.m. ET — the moment the attack began. A commemoration ceremony will take place later that evening in the park at 5 p.m. ET.

In the years that have passed, the community still continues to grapple with the tragedy. Last year, two Parkland survivors reportedly died by suicide in the weeks following the one-year anniversary of the tragedy.

Parkland High School Quiet on Anniversary of Mass Shooting
February 14, 2020 01:33 AM
Friday marks the second anniversary of a mass shooting on campus that left 17 children dead and turned many survivors into household names across America as they fought for safer schools and stronger gun control laws

Two years later, some might say the tone of the dialogue has dropped a couple of octaves.

 

[SeesSeas]

Sheriff Reflects on Second Anniversary of Parkland Shooting
PUBLISHED 6:47 AM ET Feb. 14, 2020
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri had a unique position in the investigation into the deadly Parkland shooting, which happened two years ago.

He served as chairman of the Parkland Commission that looked at ways the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which left 17 people dead, could have been prevented.
[...]

 

[SeesSeas]

Florida 'red flag' gun law used 3,500 times since Parkland
UPDATED 11:12 AM ET FEB. 16, 2020
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A 23-year-old man who posted on Facebook, “I don't know why I don't go on a killing spree." A West Palm Beach couple who shot up their home while high on cocaine. A 31-year-old Gulf Coast man who pointed a semiautomatic rifle at a motorcyclist.

All four Florida residents had their guns taken away by judges under a “red flag” law the state passed three weeks after authorities say a mentally disturbed man killed 17 people in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland two years ago Friday.

The law, supported by legislators of both parties , has been applied more than 3,500 times since, with the pace accelerating during the last half of 2019.
[...]

 

[SeesSeas]

Florida’s school safety bill dies in final moments of 2020 session
March 14, 2020
[...]
School safety
House Bill 7065 was the third school safety package bill proposed by the Legislature since the 2018 Parkland shooting, and it was the first one to fail.

Rather than inspiring contentious, emotional debate over guns, this year’s version contained tweaks to tighten up the Legislature’s previous laws, adding mental health training requirements for campus police and armed staff, for example.

It also would have required districts and charter schools to better reunite students with their parents after an emergency event.

It was also amended to include a ban on the arrest of children under 7, unless they commit a violent felony. That was in response to a viral case of an Orlando 6-year-old who was arrested at school for throwing a tantrum. The House had originally only required police departments to have policies for the arrest of young children, but the Senate beefed up the language to be an outright ban on arrests in the waning days.

But a last-minute dispute over differences between the House and Senate versions led to the bill being tossed back and forth between the chambers. It finally ran out of time before it could pass.

“I’m wondering a little bit about what happened. (Senate) President (Bill) Galvano and I ran the Marjory Stoneman Douglas bill (in 2018). This is an area that is very important to him, and it’s very important to me,” said House Speaker José Oliva, after the regular session ended at midnight.
[...]

 

[YESorNO]

Jury trials in Florida to stay suspended

May 4, 2020

"It's said that the wheels of justice turn slowly. That seems to be the case in Florida, where jury trials have been suspended until at least July.

Chief Justice Charles T. Canady issued an emergency order Monday extending the current suspension of jury trials in the state through July 2 because of the coronavirus.

In addition to criminal and civil jury trials, the order also applies to grand jury proceedings and jury selection.

For first-degree murder cases, the new order suspends some requirements for in-person preliminary hearings and a requirement that defendants be automatically released from custody if prosecutors are unable to file charges within 40 days.

The order could further delay the upcoming murder trial of Parkland school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz. His trial, which had been scheduled to begin in January, was delayed until summer to allow defense attorneys more time to prepare...."

Jury trials in Florida to stay suspended
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Emergency Measures for Florida State Courts

Emergency Measures for Florida State Courts | Arrest Warrant | Judge | Free 30-day Trial | Scribd