The judge overseeing the penalty trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz has rejected a motion by his attorneys that she step down.
refused to step down Monday, rejecting a motion by his attorneys who accused her of being biased against their client and prejudicing the jurors who will decide if he should die for murdering 17 people four years ago.Scherer last week chewed out lead defense attorney Melisa McNeill
Prosecutors argued in court documents that Scherer’s comments didn’t rise to the level of demonstrating bias against Cruz. They cited a 1994 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says a judge’s “expressions of impatience, dissatisfaction, annoyance and even anger” against the defense are not grounds for stepping down.
There was “absolutely no chance” Scherer would quit the case, said Bob Jarvis, a professor at Nova Southeastern University’s law school.Scherer, a former prosecutor, had never overseen a first-degree murder trial before being assigned the Cruz case. That sniping turned to shouting on Wednesday when, at the beginning of the court day, McNeill suddenly announced the defense was resting. The prosecution, having expected the defense case to last much longer, wasn’t prepared to begin its rebuttal case.“This is the most uncalled for, unprofessional way to try a case,” Scherer said. “I have never experienced a level of unprofessionalism in my career. It is unbelievable.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Judge in Florida school shooter case refuses to step downThe judge overseeing the penalty trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz has rejected a motion by his attorneys that she step down
Read more »
Defense seeks judge’s removal in Florida school shooter caseThere were 11 days of defense testimony overall, the last two spotlighting experts about how the shooter's birth mother's heavy use of alcohol during pregnancy might have affected his brain's development.
Read more »
Defense seeks judge’s removal in Florida school shooter caseThe Broward Public Defender’s Office said in a motion that Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer's attacks on the defense counsel led Nikolas Cruz to fear he will not receive a fair trial.
Read more »
Judge Denies Defense Motion to Remove Herself From Parkland School Shooting CaseThe judge in the Parkland school shooting sentencing trial has denied a motion by the gunman’s defense attorneys to remove herself from the case.
Read more »
Kentucky school shooter to appeal for parole 25 years after carrying out carnage as 14-year-old gunmanKentucky convicted school shooter Michael Carneal, who as a 14-year-old freshman killed three students and injured five more at Heath High School, is asking for parole 25 years later.
Read more »