(FORT LAUDERDALE, FL)– Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz has formally been sentenced to life in prison for the February 14th massacre in 2018 at Stoneman Douglas High school.
The sentencing comes just two days after family members and victims stood before Cruz to read their impact statements.
Judge Elizabeth Scherer sentenced Cruz to serve 17 consecutive life terms for murder and an additional 17 terms for the attempted murders of those he wounded.
While prosecutors hoped for Cruz to get the death penalty, a jury voted 9-3 on Oct. 13 to sentence him to life in prison instead.
In the state of Florida, the death penalty can only be issued if the full jury agrees with the sentence.
When Cruz was asked if he understood the proceedings, he told the judge that he is on medication but could understand what was occurring.