Prosecutors Will Seek Death for Nikolas Cruz

It's still possible a plea deal could be reached
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 13, 2018 12:50 PM CDT
Prosecutors Will Seek Death for Nikolas Cruz
In this image taken from a video monitor, Nikolas Cruz, center, a former student accused of opening fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, appears in magistrate court via video conference from jail on Friday, March 9, 2018, for his initial appearance.   (Broward County Court/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Florida prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz in the fatal shooting of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The office of Broward County State Attorney Michael Satz filed the formal notice Tuesday. The 19-year-old Cruz is scheduled for formal arraignment Wednesday on a 34-count indictment, including 17 first-degree murder charges.

Cruz's attorneys have said he would plead guilty if the death penalty was not pursued in the Valentine's Day massacre. The action by prosecutors Tuesday does not necessarily mean a plea deal will not be reached, reports the AP. The only other penalty option for Cruz is life in prison with no possibility of parole. (More Nikolas Cruz stories.)

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