Parkland school shooter avoids death penalty, leaving families distraught

Published

3 years ago

October 14, 2022

Parkland School shooter, Nikolas Cruz, has avoided the death penalty, after a jury recommended life imprisonment instead

Parkland school shooter, Nikolas Cruz, has avoided the death penalty, after a jury recommended he spend the remainder of his life behind bars instead.

Cruz will not face the death penalty, after killing 17 people at Florida’s Stoneman Douglas High School.

As the recommendation was delivered, families’ of the victims appeared visibly upset.

“He should be afraid every second of the day of his life.”
Linda Beigel Schulman

The father of a 14 year old victim, Dr. Iian Alhadeff, spoke of his disappointment after the jury’s recommendation.

“As a country we need to stand up and say that’s not ok…I pray that that animal suffers every day of his life in jail.”
Dr. Iian Alhadeff

Iian alhadeff

The father of Parkland victim Jaime Guttenberg, Fred Guttenberg, says he has to visit his daughter at the cemetery every day.

Fred guttenberg

“The first thing I do moving forward is I go visit my daughter at the cemetery … The next thing I do … is everything I can to prevent the next one of these.”
Fred Guttenberg

“In prison, I hope and pray [Nikolas Cruz] receives the kind of mercy from prisoners that he showed to my daughter and the 16 others.”
Fred Guttenberg

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis also slammed the Jury’s recommendation for Cruz.

The only appropriate sentence for the massacre of 17 innocent people is the death penalty. That the jury had a single holdout refuse to authorize a capital sentence represents a miscarriage of justice.

My prayers are with the Parkland families. pic.twitter.com/f2M0Fw1SLo
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 13, 2022

I oppose the death penalty. I have for a long time. But my heart aches for my friend @fred_guttenberg & all the other families in that Florida courtroom today who didn’t get the verdict they sought.

And I hope for nothing but misery for that evil killer for the rest of his days.
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 13, 2022

There are crimes for which the only just penalty is death. The Parkland families and community deserved that degree of justice.

I will continue to pray for healing for the families and every person impacted by this tragedy.
— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) October 13, 2022

The 24-year-old Parkland school shooter pleaded guilty to all 17 counts of murder. His defence argued he was mentally unstable at the time of the shootings.

But prosecutors argued he premeditated and planned the entire attack.

Now, it will be up to the Judge to issue a formal sentence on November 1. However, she cannot go against the jury’s recommendations.

Zelenskyy reveals planned UAE talks with Russia and the United States

Zelenskyy announces trilateral talks with Russia and the US in UAE, urging stronger European political will at the World Economic Forum.

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Ahron Young

Zelenskyy announces trilateral talks with Russia and the US in UAE, urging stronger European political will at the World Economic Forum.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says trilateral talks with Russia and the United States are planned in the United Arab Emirates as efforts to end the war intensify.

He also criticised European leaders at the World Economic Forum, calling for stronger political will.

News

Albanese apologises to Jewish community at Bondi attack memorial

Albanese apologizes to Jewish community, pledges to combat antisemitism after Bondi terror attack during Sydney memorial.

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Ahron Young

Albanese apologizes to Jewish community, pledges to combat antisemitism after Bondi terror attack during Sydney memorial.

Anthony Albanese has apologised to the Jewish community, saying Australia failed to keep people safe after the Bondi terror attack.

Speaking at a memorial in Sydney, he pledged to confront antisemitism and stand with families and first responders in grief and unity.

News

U.S. envoys head to Moscow as Ukraine peace talks accelerate

U.S. envoys to meet Putin, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine war diplomacy.

Published

1 day ago

January 22, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. envoys to meet Putin, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine war diplomacy.

Senior U.S. envoys are preparing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as diplomatic efforts around the war in Ukraine gather pace. The visit comes after Russia formally requested high-level talks, signalling a potential shift in momentum.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Moscow following months of behind-the-scenes discussions. The move underscores Washington’s willingness to engage directly as negotiations enter a more decisive phase.

With global attention fixed on the outcome, the meeting could shape the next chapter of the conflict — and determine whether diplomacy can finally overtake military escalation.

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