Michael Schulman, the parent of teacher Scott Beigel who was murdered during the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, stated he prayed for Nikolas Cruz to suffer a “heinous” behind bars. He told the court that he had an upcoming birthday and dreamed of only one grim gift. “My hope, my prayer, is that for my birthday present I get word that you are dead,” he said while pointing his finger in Cruz’s direction. Furthermore, Schulman also expressed a wish that Cruz's associates and prisoners execute him with a judgment that the courts cannot.
The New York Post reported that a jury opted against applying the death penalty in Cruz's case. Bound by that decision, Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer convicted Cruz of life in prison on Wednesday, leaving the families of the 17 deceased stunned.
Scherer sentenced Cruz to life in prison with the 34 counts of the indictment to be served consecutively. She declared the verdict after concluding she was sure that Cruz, who pleaded guilty to his charges, was aware of the court proceedings. He was sentenced to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. Scherer granted a motion under Florida's so-called Son of Sam law, which means he cannot profit monetarily from his crimes.
ABC News reported that prior to announcing the sentencing, the judge applauded the victims and victims' families for their grace and patience throughout the ordeal. "I can't help but think about how I would behave or respond if I were in your shoes," she said.
Nikolas Cruz, 24, fatally shot 14 students and three staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018. He also injured 17 more individuals in the assault. He pleaded guilty to all murder and attempted murder charges in October 2021.
The convict did not show emotion as he was condemned to life behind bars. When Scherer finished reading the sentences, one man in the courtroom said, "Good riddance," the New York Daily News reported.
Terri Rabinovitz, the grandmother of 14-year-old victim Alyssa Alhadeff, told Cruz she is too old to see him live out his sentence, but she hoped that each of his breaths on Earth is miserable and that he repents.
