Nikolas Cruz Penalty Phase - Jury Selection

In February 2018, Nikolas Cruz killed 17 and wounded 17 more at his former high school in Parkland, Florida. He was charged with 17 counts of premediated 1st Degree murder and 17 counts of Attempted 1st Degree murder. The Prosecution announced it would seek the death penalty and would not entertain any plea negotiations.

On October 20, 2021, Cruz entered a plea of guilty to all charges. After pleading guilty to all offenses, a jury needs to be selected to hear the penalty phase of Nikolas Cruz's trial.

So a jury must decide between the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

Why? Even though he pled guilty, the death penalty was never taken off the table by the state of Florida.