By Terry Spencer -
The Associated Press
Nikolas Cruz, the alleged perpetrator of the shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school that killed 17 people in 2018, plans to plead guilty, his lawyers reported Friday after a hasty hearing was called in the last hours.
The 23-year-old's decision would launch a process to decide his punishment, in which he would face a possible request for the death penalty but could now trust that he will be reduced to life imprisonment.
Nikolas Cruz, alleged perpetrator of the February 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, during a hearing on December 10, 2019.Amy Beth Bennett / AP
[Three years after the Parkland massacre, the trial remains in limbo as Biden asks to reinforce the
gun control]
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The Broward County state attorney's office issued a statement Thursday night denying that there had been negotiations to reach an agreement on a possible reduction in punishment in exchange for a guilty plea.
The young man's lawyers had previously offered to plead guilty on several occasions in exchange for guaranteeing a life sentence, but prosecutors have so far refused to abandon the possibility of seeking capital punishment.
In fear, Parkland students returned to class
Feb. 28, 201802: 43
Cruz was detained an hour after allegedly attacking the school on February 14, 2018 with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle.
The trial has been delayed due to the pandemic and discussions between the prosecution and the defense about the evidence and testimony that could be presented to the jury.
Some relatives of the victims had expressed frustration at the delays, but the president of the group they formed expressed relief that the case now appears to be closer to being resolved.