The gunman who killed 17 students and staff in the Parkland school shooting has been officially sentenced to life in prison.
Florida jury Vote to save Nicolas Cruz from the death penalty Last month, he opted for a life sentence without parole.
The 24-year-old pleaded guilty last year to premeditated murder at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – One of the deadliest school shootings in American history
Last month, a jury in Cruz’s three-month sentencing trial voted 9-3 to sentence him to death, but Florida law requires unanimous consent to impose the death penalty.
On Wednesday, Judge Elizabeth Scherer sentenced him to 17 life sentences for the February 14, 2018 massacre, and another 17 for the attempted murder of the man he wounded.
relatives say killer
The verdict came after relatives of the victim spoke to him face-to-face within two days.
Helena Ramsay, 17, was told by his mother Anne Ramsay that he was “pure evil”.
Inez Hickson, the daughter-in-law of school athletic director Chris Hickson, called him a “domestic terrorist.”
Anne Ramsay holding a photo of her daughter Helena
Debbie Hixon holding a photo of her husband Chris Hixon
Alyssa Alhadeff’s uncle, David Alhadeff, told Cruz he deserved “a chance to rot.”
“Once you leave this courtroom, you should have a chance to absorb the look of horror on your face,” he said.
“You deserve a chance to know that justice will prevail at some point and cause you great pain, every minute, every day.”
The judge praised the family members and wounded who testified, describing them as strong, graceful and patient.
“I know you’ll be fine because you have each other,” Judge Sheller said.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas students days after deadly attack
Cruz was an expelled student who killed 14 students and three staff members with a semi-automatic rifle when he was 19 years old.
He has apologized for his crimes and asked for a life sentence without parole for helping others with a lie.
The massacre has led to renewed calls for stronger gun control in the US, gaining further support this year after 19 children and 2 teachers were shot dead A school in Uwald, Texas and another shot A supermarket in Buffalo, New Yorkresulting in 10 deaths.