Continuing coverage: Parkland school shooter's sentencing trial
The jury will decide whether Nikolas Cruz, 23, receives the death sentence or life in prison without parole for the murders of 14 students and three staff members at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018.
Medical examiners paint a gruesome picture on Day 5 of Parkland sentencing trial
Day 5 of the sentencing trial for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz was marked by difficult testimony from police and medical examiners.
Broward County detective Danny Krystyan testifies
Medical examiner of Parkland victim Martin Duque testifies
Medical examiner who performed autopsy on MSD shooting victim Martin Duque testified at shooter’s sentencing trial that he had multiple wounds - one bullet went through his cheek and hit clavicle. @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 22, 2022
Intense officer testimony on Day 5 of Parkland shooter sentencing trial
Testimony from police officers who responded to the scene at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School punctuated Friday's morning session of the Nikolas Cruz sentencing trial.
Detective David Alfin testifies
#CruzTrial Det David Alfin is on the stand right now. One of the responding officers who stormed into the building. He is being shown evidence photos right now by the state. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
Det David Alfin of Coral Springs p d responded to MSD day Of massacre went to 3rd floor of 1200 bldg - says saw body of Jaime Guttenberg and the rifle and vest shooter had left @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial Detective Alfin describing the third floor landing on the west side of the building. That’s where they found Cruz’s tactical vest and rifle. Then victim Jaime Guttenberg. The image shows the detective checking her vitals. She did not survive. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial “we heard a voice we thought coming from the hallway.” Detective Alfin and another officer went to find another student calling out for help. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial Detective Alfin describing him encountering shooting victim Anthony Borges, who survived. Alfin then said he assisted with clearing the rest of the floor after getting Borges medical attention. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial Det Alvin now describing him finding Joaquin Oliver against the bathroom door. Oliver was killed in the shooting. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
Sgt. Richard Vandereems of Broward Sheriff Office testifies
#CruzTrial Sgt Richard Vandereems of the Broward County Sheriffs Office is the 46th witness being called by the state. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial Sgt Vandereems is one of the responding officers to the MSD shooting. The Sgt says he ran through the open gate to the east side of building 12. “I observed a child dead on the ground on the left. There was smoke and dust in the air.” @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial BSO Sgt went up to the 3rd floor where he found several other officers. When they looked down the hallway they found a child trying to raise his hand up. The student is Anthony Borges who was shot, but survived. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
Coral Spring Police Captain Nicholas Mazzei testifies
#CruzTrial the 45th witness has just been called by the state. Captain Nicholas Mazzei. Police officer with the City of Coral Springs. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial Captain Mazzei was one of the responding officers to MSD. “I observed a body lying on the ground outside of the west doors.” @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial Captain Mazzei being shown evidence photos from the scene of the shooting. Depicting the body he just described laying outside the west side doors. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial Captain Mazzei being shown evidence photos from the scene of the shooting. Depicting the body he just described laying outside the west side doors. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
Day 5 of Nikolas Cruz sentencing trial begins
#CruzTrial Day 5 of the sentencing trial of Nikolas Cruz. Defense trying to use the fact that Cruz has plead guilty as a mitigating circumstance. Prosecutors say that all the evidence from this trial is admissible and the juror needs to understand the context. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
#CruzTrial defense and prosecution are going back and forth about witnesses identifying Cruz on the stand. Defense says that we already know Cruz committed the crime bc he plead guilty. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 22, 2022
Can Nikolas Cruz' Body language influence the jury?
Moments after Parkland shooting at center of Day 4 testimony
Testimony in Day 4 of the sentencing trial for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz focused on his movements after leaving Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Day 4 of Nikolas Cruz sentencing trial concludes
The fourth day of testimony in the death penalty sentencing trial of confessed Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz has concluded after a planned half-day schedule for Thursday,
Court is set to resume Friday at 10am ET.
Clint Williams of Broward County Sheriffs Office testifies
#CruzTrial next witness on the stand Clint Williams a detective with the Broward County Sheriffs Office. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial BSO detective just identified Cruz and said he saw him in the emergency room after his arrest. He is holding up the JROTC shirt Cruz wore the day of the mass shooting, now evidence. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial BSO detective Willams also just identified the pants Cruz was wearing the day of the mass shooting, also now evidence. There are no more witnesses being called by the state. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
Coral Springs officer Kyle Greene testifies
#CruzTrial next witness is Kyle Greene a police officer with the City of Coral Springs. He was the second or third officer responding after Cruz was apprehended by Officer Leonard. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial Officer Greene says he took a receipt taken off Cruz during his arrest. And other items as well. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
Prosecution shows footage of Nikolas Cruz being arrested
#CruzTrial Coconut Creek Police Officer Michael Leonard just circled the location where he put Nikolas Cruz in handcuffs. This video just shown to the courtroom, as they make the arrest. @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/biX97dkWOD
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
Coconut Creek police officer Michael Leonard testifies
Michael Leonard a coconut creek police officer testified he started searching for shooting suspect around residential area. He located shooter matching description of suspect- day 4 penalty phase @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial Officer Leonard says I asked him what his name was and he said “Nikolas Cruz.” This, as the Officer has Cruz on the ground about to be put in cuffs. He just pointed him out in the courtroom. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial Officer Michael Leonard now describing the patrol path he took on his hunt for the person fitting Cruz’s description. He testified that he turned his patrol cars camera off right before he spotted Cruz walking around the bend. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
John Wilford, MSD student who sat next to Cruz at McDonalds, testifies
John Wilford whose sister was shot at MSD evacuated and went to McDonald’s nearby. He says shooter sat next to him. Was wearing rotc uniform and he asked him for a ride - he said no @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial new video showing Cruz engaging with witness John Wilford in McDonald’s right after the massacre at MSD. He sat across from Wilford in a booth and then asked for a ride. Wilford said he was nervous and got a gut feeling to say no. @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/dAt25gZH1t
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial John Wilford is the next witness called to the stand. Former MSD student. He was in 9th grade when the shooting happened. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial John Wilford, former MSD student, remembers the fire alarm going off when the massacre happened. They walked out of school, attendance was taken. “I didn’t think much of it.” @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial John Wilford, former MSD student, says “everyone was kind of panicked, didn’t know what was going on.” He walked to Walmart after being evacuated. He says he was trying to call family. He told his mom to meet him at McDonald’s. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
McDonalds employee Jose Delacruz testifies
#CruzTrial Jose Delacruz is the next witness called to the stand. A McDonalds employee and area supervisor. He was at the Coral Springs corporate park office… he got a call from officers to come to 5741 Coral Ridge Dr ASAP. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial Delacruz was asked by police to pull up video surveillance after being called to the coral ridge dr McDonald’s location. State now handing him a flash drive, that is evidence, that shows Cruz inside of that McDonald’s. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
Prosecution plays footage of Cruz at Subway after MSD shooting
#CruzTrial in the Subway surveillance video you can see Cruz, pictured in maroon & wearing a hat. He orders a cherry icy from Rugeles. You see him walking away drinking it, very causally. This just minutes after he shot and killed 17 people and injured 17 others. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial parents in the audience very stoic as they watch Cruz making a slushee purchase… minutes after fatally shooting their children. Video is very chilling now knowing what he did shortly before this. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
Manager of Subway where Cruz stopped after shooting testifies
#CruzTrial the state has called its second witness of the day, Carlos Rugeles. He was employed at the Subway inside of the Walmart in Coral Springs. This is the Subway where Cruz fled to after the shooting. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial Rugeles, Subway employee, is being shown evidence that shows him serving Nikolas Cruz at the Subway inside of the Walmart. It is surveillance video made public to the courtroom. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
Former MSD student Benjamin Wikander testifies
#CruzTrial 9:39 first witness has been called by the state, Benjamin Wikander. Former student of MSD. Graduated in 2018. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial Former MSD student Ben Wikander says he heard a bunch of loud bangs in his fourth period class. “Shots came through the window of our classroom.” He was shot during the hail of gun fire. Hit in the arm. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
#CruzTrial Former MSD student Ben Wikander being shown evidence photos of him being carried out of school after being wounded. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
Day 4 of Nikolas Cruz sentencing trial begins
#CruzTrial the state will supposedly take the jury on Cruz’s escape after the mass shooting. That includes him blending in with students as he walks out & stopping at McDonald’s and Subway. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 21, 2022
Teacher testimony stands out on Day 3 of Parkland shooter sentencing trial
FORT LAUDERDALE - A Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher gave heart-wrenching testimony Wednesday, recalling how a student in her Holocaust studies class correctly answered a question seconds before he became one of 17 people murdered by school shooter Nikolas Cruz.
Ivy Schamis was leading students through a discussion about the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany when Nick Dworet correctly answered that Adolf Dassler founded the Adidas shoe company, adding that Dassler's brother founded the rival Puma brand.
It was then they heard the first gunshots in the hallway, and Cruz began firing through the glass on her classroom door.
"It was really seconds later that the barrel of that AR-15 just ambushed our classroom. It came right through that glass panel and was just shooting everywhere. It was very loud. Very frightening. I kept thinking about these kids who should not be experiencing this at all," she testified, wiping her eyes with tissue.
Day 3 - Afternoon recess
The courtroom is mostly empty for a break. Nikolas Cruz is already seated. He looked at me for a few seconds. His eyes were so empty. I got an immediate chill in my spine. I’m speechless. #NikolasCruzTrial @CBSMiami
— Gabby Arzola (@GabrielleArzola) July 20, 2022
MSD psychology teacher Ronit Reoven testifies
MSD psych teacher Ronit Reoven testifying at parkland sentencing trial that the gunfire was extremely loud - describes in vivid detail the vibrations of gunfire on day of massacre. Dust and debris falling from ceiling -students trying to shield hugging @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial MSD teacher Ronit Reoven says she could feel the vibrations in her chest as the gun shots got louder. She says there was debris falling from the ceiling from the gunfire. “I could hear whimpering.” @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
Former MSD student Sophia D'elia
#CruzTrial Student Sophia D’elia says she saw Gina Montalto in the hallway working. “I don’t remember but I was underneath my teachers desk.” @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
Former MSD student Sofia Delia testified at parkland shooter’s sentencing trial that she saw 3 victims in hallway before they were killed says when swat arrived she saw blood everywhere in hallway and ran out of building @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 20, 2022
"We heard screaming next door." - MSD teacher Juletta Matlock testifies
#CruzTrial state is asking the teacher Juletta Matlock to draw where her desk was. “I heard three loud bangs.” Matlock says she doesn’t even remember telling the students “get down.” @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial teacher Juletta Matlock thought the school was trying to catch them off guard with a drill. “The sounds just kept coming.” She says the glass of the door to the classroom shattered while she was standing in front of it. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial Teacher Juletta Matlock she says she thought it was a drill the majority of the time the gun fire was erupting outside. “There was a lot I couldn’t even tell you… we heard screaming next door.” @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial Teacher Juletta Matlock says two students were excused from her class before the gunfire erupted. Luke Hoyer and Martin Duque. Both were killed in the shooting. Matlock just identified both students in photos. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial teacher Juletta Matlock says Gina Montalto was also excused from her class… she wanted to do work outside the classroom. Gina was killed in the shooting. Gina was excused from class about an hour before Cruz entered the building. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
Former MSD teacher Ivy Schamis testifies
Ivy schamis a former MSD teacher testified at parkland shooter’s sentencing trial that she was teaching a holocaust class on day of massacre. Describes hearing gunshots in hall students flew out of seats and tried to find cover. @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial Ivy Schamis, former teacher continues her testimony. When the police came in “they were screaming.” She then says that’s when she saw the four students injured. Police and swat were yelling they couldn’t find the shooter and to put their hands up. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial Ivy Schamis just identified to students Helena Ramsay and Nick Dworet as she breaks out in tears. Both students were killed in the mass shooting. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
"They we're both instantly gone." - Former MSD High School student Genesis Valentin
#CruzTrial 10:03 am. The state has called it’s second witness of the day. Genesis Valentin a former student. She graduated MSD in 2020. “I remember hearing some shots outside the room.” She thought it was balloons. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial Genesis Valentin Former Student, said “we heard screaming, so we knew this was getting bad.” Some classmates called police. Police told them to stay hidden. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial Student Genesis Valentin continues to describe the horror as she was hiding. She tells the state she was wounded by shrapnel. She also saw two girls next to her get shot. “They we’re both instantly gone.” @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
#CruzTrial Student Genesis Valentin now being shown photographs of the wounds to her left and right leg. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
Prosecution returns to video evidence on Day 3
#CruzTrial a video now being played from the shooting while student Ashley Baez is giving witness testimony. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
Ashley Baez first prosecution witness day 3 of parkland shooter sentencing case. Says she was in band when massacre began. Says she went to 1200 bldg saw shooter. Heard shooting start was hit in legs @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 20, 2022
Day 3 of Nikolas Cruz sentencing trial begins
#CruzTrial State has called its first witness has been called to the stand, Ashley Baez. A former MSD student who graduated in 2020. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 20, 2022
Day 3: Here is what you can expect
Wednesday is Day 3 of the sentencing trial of Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz. Here is what you can expect during court proceedings:
Former Broward County prosecutor breaks down Day 2 of Parkland sentencing trial
Former Broward State Attorney's Office prosecutor Maria Schneider explains what the prosecution is trying to accomplish as it lays out its case.
Student testimony marks Day 2 of Parkland sentencing trial
In gripping testimony, students, teachers and law enforcement recalled their experiences on the day of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Tuesday session concludes
Court is in recess for the remainder of the day and will resume at approximately 9:00 AM on Wednesday.
"While the shots were going, both my vision and hearing went away." - Former MSD High School Student Samantha Fuentes
Former MSD High School student Samantha Fuentes testifies during the sentencing trial for confessed school shooter Nikolas Cruz.
Afternoon session resumes after recess
Tuesday afternoon's session of Nikolas Cruz's sentencing trial has resumed after a brief recess.
Judge Scherer Calls For 15min recess
Live coverage will resume when the jury returns from recess.
"I was grazed twice." - Former MSD High School student Isabel Chequer testifies
Former MSD High School student Isabel Chequer shared emotional testimony of being grazed by two bullets as she witnessed Nikolas Cruz shoot shoot her classmates
"You could smell the sulfur from the guns." - MSD High School teacher Dara Hass
MSD High School English teaches Dara Hass describes her efforts to get students to safety as Nikolas Cruz made his way through the halls of the school.
Former MSD High School student and shooting victim Kheshava Mangapuram shares his testimony
Kheshava Mangapuram, who was shot in the stomach at MSD High School, testifies at the sentencing trial of Nikolas Cruz
Afternoon session begins.
Court is back in session after a two-hour lunch break.
Court To Resume After 1pm
Judge Elizabeth Scherer has announced a two-hour lunch break.
Court will resume after 1:00pm ET.
"I felt trickling down back of head." - Alexander Dworet testifies
Former MSD High School student Alexander Dworet recounts a head injury he sustained during the shooting. Dworet's brother Nick was killed
Alexander Dworet the brother of MSD victim Nick-also a student saysHeard gunfire “I felt trickling down back of head” - saw alex schacter take final breath -gripping testimony from witnesses/victims day two of parkland shooter sentencing trial @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 19, 2022
"There was blood all over me." - Former MSD student William Olson testifies
Former MSD student William Olson testified he heard gun shots and saw alex schacter not moving - he went to teacher’s desk and realized he.was bleeding. He had been shot. @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 19, 2022
#CruzTrial Former student William Olson being shown evidence of his wounds. Images taken at the hospital where he was transported. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 19, 2022
McKenna identifies Cruz as Parkland school shooter
#CruzTrial the person in the stairwell can you identify him? “I do.” McKenna said… Identifying Cruz. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 19, 2022
"Get out of here. Things are going to get bad." - Student recalls encountering Cruz
Christopher McKenna, a freshman at the time of the shooting, testifies to encountering Nikolas Cruz with a gun before he began shooting inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School:
Parkland.shooter sentencing trial day two. - jury watches hallway video of shooter during rampage then Christopher McKenna who was a student at the time testified he saw shooter before chaos. He testified shooter said “get out of here things are about to get bad” @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 19, 2022
Former MSD student positively identifies parkland shooter as person he ran into before the rampage who told him “things are about to get bad” on day two of parkland shooter’s sentencing trial.
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 19, 2022
Video evidence at the center of Day 2 testimony
#CruzTrial the state has presented its first item of evidence to Booth which is a copy of video data that’s from the video surveillance system in the 1200 building. Booth says everything in the system was operating as usual. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 19, 2022
State calls electronic surveillance video expert witness
Ron Lowther of the Broward County Sheriffs Office is the State's first witness of the day:
#CruzTrial state has called its next witness, Ron Lowther. He works for the Broward County Sheriffs Office in the Electronics Surveillance Unit. He retrieves and processes video evidence. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 19, 2022
#CruzTrial Lowther, of BSO, now being shown hard drives and flash drives that have been introduced as evidence. Lowther says he was able to link the defendant going from camera to camera…following Cruz continuously throughout the building. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 19, 2022
#CruzTrial Lowther, of BSO, also said he was able to follow other people as well captured on the 13 different surv cameras, isolating their movements in building 1200. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 19, 2022
Defense: Surveillance video violates Cruz's constitutional rights
Attorneys for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz open the second day of the sentencing trial with an objection to video evidence presented by the prosecution.
#CruzTrial Cruz’s defense team saying that the release of surveillance video violates Cruz’s constitutional rights. Defense team says the “guilt has already been established.” Prosecutors say the video establishes aggravating factors and its admissible @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 19, 2022
#CruzTrial “I think the surveillance videos are absolutely relevant.”- Judge. She adds, “I do not find there is any unfair prejudice to the defendant” and denies motion to limit the exposure of surveillance video to the jury. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 19, 2022
What to expect Tuesday?
More witnesses are expected to take the stand as the sentencing trial of Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz continues.
Why didn't the Parkland shooter's defense make an opening statement?
Day 1 of Parkland shooter sentencing trial brings emotional testimony
Jurors dismissed for the day
Judge Elizabeth Scherer has dismissed jurors for the day. Court will be in recess until 9:00am ET on Tuesday.
Tune in to CBS 4 news at 5 for full coverage and legal experts breaking down today's opening statement from the prosecution and Day 1 witnesses.
Live coverage will resume on this blog tomorrow morning.
"He deserves to die"
Parkland dad Manuel Oliver isn't holding back about what the school shooter's punishment should be.
"I think that he deserves to die. The fact that Florida has the death penalty, if it's not for these kinds of cases, I don't know why do we have it," Manuel said.
He said even if the jury recommends death when this is over, it doesn't compare to how Joaquin and the 16 others died.
"Joaquin was chased by a guy with an AR-15 and then he was shot four times. He suffered while dying, he was an innocent person, and also were the other 16," he said.
Cruz defense team requests a mistrial
Attorneys for Nikolas Cruz requested a mistrial. They argued that emotional outbursts from members of victims' families during video shown as part of Dylan Kraemer's testimony would influence the jury.
The request was denied by Judge Elizabeth Scherer.
Day 1 at the Cruz trial. The defense asked for a mistrial because of the disturbing audio played during a witness’s testimony. In the audio,you hear loud gunshots,as victims were screaming for their lives.The victims family in the courtroom spoke out to stop audio @CBSMiami
— Gabby Arzola (@GabrielleArzola) July 18, 2022
"Bullets came through the window." - Dylan Kraemer
Third prosecution witness Dylan Kraemer was also a junior at MSD High School at the time of the shooting.
The sound of gunshots and screaming a cell phone video played for jury - inside classroom where students were shot during MSD massacre at sentencing trial for parkland shooter @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 18, 2022
"We were kind of like sitting ducks." - Danielle Gilbert
Danielle Gilbert second prosecution witness at parkland shooter’s sentencing trial testified she was a junior at MSD on day of massacre - says she heard gunshots. Says four people were shot in her classroom. She took videos of what happened @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 18, 2022
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher Brittany Sinitch recalls her experiences
The prosecution's first witness, MSD teacher Brittany Sinitch describes the "loud bangs" she heard as Nikolas Cruz made his way through the school.
Technical issues delay restart of court proceedings
A technical issue Monday afternoon briefly delayed court proceedings after the jury returned from lunch break.
The judge sent jurors back to the jury room while they worked on fixing an issue with a computer.
It happened after Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher Brittany Sinitch took the stand.
Parkland shooter sentencing trial first prosecution witness is Brittany sinitch a teacher from MSD - she was in classroom on first floor of 1200 building where massacre happened @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 18, 2022
The live feed will resume as soon as the technology issues have been resolved.
Who is lead prosecutor Mike Satz?
Mike Satz, 80, who delivered the state's opening statement on Monday morning, spent 44 years as Broward County's state attorney and appointed himself lead prosecutor shortly after the Parkland shootings. He did not seek a 12th term and left office in early 2021, but his successor, Harold Pryor, kept him on the case.
Jury on lunch break until 1:15 p.m.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer told jurors to be back from lunch by 1:15 p.m.
Victims family members in tears during prosecutor's opening statement
#CruzTrial a lot of these victims shot 4-8 times each. Family members of the victims seen crying as they sit and listen to this. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 18, 2022
Prosecutor on Parkland shooter: "Cold, calculated, manipulative and deadly"
Lead prosecutor Mike Satz spoke of Nikolas Cruz's brutality during Monday's opening statements as he stalked a three-story classroom building, firing his AR-15 semi-automatic rifle down hallways and into classrooms.
Cruz sometimes walked back to wounded victims and killed them with a second volley of shots.
"Cold, calculated, manipulative and deadly" was how Satz described him, describing a video Cruz made three days before the massacre.
Click here for more.
Prosecutor describes scene at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when first responders arrived
Satz: Cruz stopped to eat at Subway after shooting
Prosecutor in parkland shooter sentencing case: After walking out of building. Defendant went to a fast food restaurant where he asked the brother of one of the shooting victims for a ride home @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 18, 2022
Cruz: "I'm going to be the next school shooter of 2018."
Prosecutor Michael J. Satz details Nikolas Cruz's motives and messages sent before the shooting:
Prosecutor: Cruz armed with tactical vest and 10 magazines
#CruzTrial “the defendant fired through the window shattering the window.” Prosecutors continue to paint a gruesome picture of 2.14.18. Cruz is then described pulling out a tactical vest filled with 10 magazines as he continues to fire shots throughout the building. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 18, 2022
Prosecutor Lays out case before presenting evidence
"I'm going to speak to you about the unspeakable, about this defendant's goal-directed planned, systematic murder — mass murder — of 14 children, an athletic director, a teacher and a coach." - Prosecutor Michael J. Satz
Prosecutor discusses surveillance footage from inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
#CruzTrial prosecutors now discussing the 76 surv cameras spread out through MSD’s campus. In the 1200 building where the shooting took place, there were 13 surv cameras. There are no cameras inside of the classrooms. All cameras are motion activated. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 18, 2022
#CruzTrail prosecutor now discussing how Cruz is seen on video shooting and killed victims on each floor. Some of the cameras could not detect some motion from Cruz because of the loudness of the gun fire, the ceiling coming down creating dust & the fire alarm. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 18, 2022
Opening statements begin
Lead prosecutor Michael Satz stood before the jurors and began his opening statements.
Prosecutor: there were cameras at MSD in hallway that were motion activated. Tells jury they will see shootings. The percussion from shooter’s rifle was so strong it caused ceiling tiles to come down and that created a smoky atmosphere. Activated fire alarm @CBSMiami
— Joan Murray (@joanmurraycbs4) July 18, 2022
Meanwhile, inside the courtroom...
Nikolas Cruz remains with his head down, jotting down notes on a piece of paper. He was also seen passing some notes to his attorney.
Juror denies discussing Parkland trial
#CruzTrial slight delay as the Cruz trial begins. A juror was questioned about her discussing the case with someone else. The juror denied the allegation. The judge said she takes her word for it. The jury just entered the courtroom. @CBSMiami
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 18, 2022
Judge Elizabeth Scherer reminds jurors of their responsibilities
Judge Elizabeth Scherer reminded jurors of the rules regarding the case. She asked the jurors if they understood and they all said "yes."
The judge briefed the jury once again on what aggravating and mitigating factors are. She reminded the jury that they all need to be in agreement to sentence Cruz to death.
The state has the burden to prove each aggravating factor beyond reasonable doubt.
Who is in the jury for the Parkland shooter sentencing trial?
Judge questions juror
A juror was called to the stand under oath in regards to discussing the case at a doctor's office allegedly she said stuff regarding the trial and her thoughts on the death penalty. Prosecutors brought it to the judge's attention. The judge said this juror has always been forthcoming and since she denied it under oath, she is going to take her word for it. Prosecutors asked for a 2 min. recess.
Victims families embracing one another at the Broward County Courthouse as the Nikolas Cruz sentencing trial gets underway. Cruz walked into the courtroom shortly before 9:30 this morning. My live report coming up at noon. @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/XSnhhkT7XF
— Nicole Lauren (@NLaurenTV) July 18, 2022
What to expect during the Parkland shooter sentencing trial
Defense for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz asks for 45-day continuance
The defense for Nikolas Cruz asked for a 45-day continuance on Monday morning before opening statements were to begin.
They said a mental health professional needs time to prepare for a proper evaluation of their client.
The final phase of the sentencing trial of the Parkland school shooter was scheduled to get underway Monday morning.
Opening statements iwere set for 9 a.m.
CBS News Miami will stream the proceeding from "gavel to gavel."