Nikolas Cruz defense unexpectedly rests case in Florida school shooting trial

Defense attorneys for accused Parkland, Fla., shooter Nikolas Cruz abruptly rested their case Wednesday, drawing the ire of the presiding judge.

Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer accused lawyer Melisa McNeill of ending her defense in an “unprofessional” fashion after calling on just 25 of an expected 80 witnesses to take the stand.

“To have 22 people march into court and be waiting as if it is some kind of game,” the judge said in a raised voice. “I have never experienced such a level of unprofessionalism in my career.”

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz is shown at the defense table after the defense team announced their intention to rest their case during the penalty phase of Cruz's trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (Amy Beth Bennett/)

Scherer and McNeil accused each other of behaving in an insulting manner.

While the jurors were not in the courtroom during the heated exchange, McNeil took issue with the judge for demeaning her in front of her client, who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018. He is waiting to see if he’ll be sentenced to death.

“Quite frankly, this has been long overdue,” Scherer snapped back at McNeil. “So please be seated.”

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Upon being informed the defense had rested its case, jurors reportedly appeared surprised. Prosecutors were also caught off-guard by Cruz’s counsel’s decision, telling the judge they needed more time to prepare their presentation.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz, left, speaks with members of his defense team after Judge Elizabeth Scherer asked him if he was sure he wants to rest his case and waive his right to have more witnesses testify during the penalty phase of Cruz's trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. (Amy Beth Bennett/)

Lead prosecutor Mike Satz said he was still expecting to hear from dozens of more defense witnesses. His rebuttal is slated to start Sept. 27 and last approximately two weeks.

The final defense witness to testify was fetal alcohol expert Dr. Kenneth Jones. He told the court that in his 50 years of research, he had never come across a birth mother with a more thoroughly documented drinking problem than Cruz’s mom, Brenda Woodward. He suspects her alcohol consumption led to an untreated disorder that may have contributed to the defendant’s behavior.

The jury previously heard from witnesses to Woodward’s substance abuse, which included cocaine use, while she was working as a Fort Lauderdale prostitute. The defense also called forth therapists and educators who’d witnessed Cruz’s erratic behavior.

There had been questions about Scherer being assigned to Cruz’s case. She has never presided over a death penalty trial.

With News Wire Services