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Juries determine guilt or innocence. Judges hand down sentences.
This trial is to determine the sentence in this case. Jurors will decide whether to recommend a life sentence or the death penalty for Cruz, who pled guilty to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. The case is expected to stretch from June to September.
This trial is to determine the sentence in this case. Jurors will decide whether to recommend a life sentence or the death penalty for Cruz, who pled guilty to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. The case is expected to stretch from June to September.
It wouldn't take me 5 minutes to reach a decision on that sentence. I don't know how long the sentencing trial might take. If that guy doesn't get the maximum sentence, then I can't think of anyone who would. How many people do you have to kill to get the maximum sentence... 100? 200? 5,000? Seems to me that 17 should be more than enough.
It wouldn't take me 5 minutes to reach a decision on that sentence. I don't know how long the sentencing trial might take. If that guy doesn't get the maximum sentence, then I can't think of anyone who would. How many people do you have to kill to get the maximum sentence... 100? 200? 5,000? Seems to me that 17 should be more than enough.
The defendant gets a defense for each offense. The weeks it takes is for the State and the defense to present their cases on appropriate punishment.
It wouldn't take me 5 minutes to reach a decision on that sentence. I don't know how long the sentencing trial might take. If that guy doesn't get the maximum sentence, then I can't think of anyone who would. How many people do you have to kill to get the maximum sentence... 100? 200? 5,000? Seems to me that 17 should be more than enough.
I agree this crime sounds horrendous. Nevertheless, what you are expressing is a grave concern of mine. That concern is people who make up their mind about a case from media reports. I would hope for people who might have opinions, but would reserve their judgment until they actually heard the case (the evidence) before making a life and death decision.
That young man has some factors to consider
Personally I think fetal alcohol syndrome is responsible for part of his crime
He should be in mental institution—not prison—but that likely is not an option
He has already plead guilty. The jury will decide his sentence.
He pled guilty and they didn't take the death penalty off the table?
THAT is unusual. At that point, why plead guilty? What are they gonna do? Kill you twice?
Did you mean he had already been FOUND guilty in a trial?
That's far more common. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it's exceedingly rare that someone will face the death penalty after a guilty plea. Taking death off the table is usually the carrot that is hung out to secure a guilty plea and avoid the time/cost of a trial.
FWIW.. In South Carolina, I believe, the jury that decides on guilt/innocence then comes back to decide whether he gets the death penalty. So, two phases, but one jury. And this is only in death penalty cases.
He pled guilty and they didn't take the death penalty off the table?
THAT is unusual. At that point, why plead guilty? What are they gonna do? Kill you twice?
Did you mean he had already been FOUND guilty in a trial?
That's far more common. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it's exceedingly rare that someone will face the death penalty after a guilty plea. Taking death off the table is usually the carrot that is hung out to secure a guilty plea and avoid the time/cost of a trial.
FWIW.. In South Carolina, I believe, the jury that decides on guilt/innocence then comes back to decide whether he gets the death penalty. So, two phases, but one jury. And this is only in death penalty cases.
Nikolas Cruz, the gunman who carried out the massacre of students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018, pleaded guilty in a Florida courtroom Wednesday to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder.
There was obviously no plea bargain. It was his decision. He was not found guilty, he plead guilty. There was no trial.
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