“It's unbelievable!”: Judge Elizabeth Scherer calls out Nikolas Cruz’s defense team as lawyers shockingly rest their case Comment Share Circuit Judge accuses Nikolas Cruz's defense attorneys of unprofessional behavior after they rest their case abruptly (Images via Twitter/AP) On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz's defense lawyers unexpectedly rested their case moments after the start of the court session, leaving the judge and the prosecutors shocked. Nikolas Cruz's defense attorneys, who were supposed to bring 80 witnesses to the stand, rested their case abruptly after 25 witnesses were brought in. Lead attorney Melisa McNeill's announcement to cut the defense testimony short did not sit well with the judge. This was followed by a heated exchange between McNeill and Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer, who accused the Defense of being highly unprofessional for not informing her about the change beforehand. She called their ways: "The most uncalled for, unprofessional way to try a case." Cathy Russon@cathyrusson"This is the most uncalled for, unprofessional way to try a case!" - Judge yells at #ParklandShooter defense team.
"I have never experienced a level of unprofessionalism in my career. It's unbelievable!"
Judge: "You've been insulting me the entire trial!"2844732"This is the most uncalled for, unprofessional way to try a case!" - Judge yells at #ParklandShooter defense team. "I have never experienced a level of unprofessionalism in my career. It's unbelievable!" Judge: "You've been insulting me the entire trial!" https://t.co/EIHPQwyzao Elizabeth Scherer also accused the defense of wasting the time of the 12-member jury who were preparing to enter the courtroom. Moreover, the defense's decision to rest the case early caught the prosecutors off guard, who were waiting to hear from another 40 defense witnesses. When asked if the prosecution could proceed with their rebuttal, lead prosecutor Mike Satz nervously replied in the negative.

Judge Elizabeth Scherer calls Nikolas Cruz s defense team unprofessional

Emanuella Grinberg@grinsliShould say, unexpected in the sense that they had a lot more witnesses to go on their list. Even prosecutors said that as of last night, the defense told them they had 2 witnesses on deck today...31Should say, unexpected in the sense that they had a lot more witnesses to go on their list. Even prosecutors said that as of last night, the defense told them they had 2 witnesses on deck today... Commenting on the latest developments inside the courtroom, according to CBS News, a displeased Scherer, whose relationship with McNeill has been rocky since the start of the pretrial hearings, said: "To have 22 people march into court and be waiting as if it is some kind of game. I have never experienced such a level of unprofessionalism in my career." After Scherer's chastisement, Nikolas Cruz's lawyer accused her of insulting her in front of her client, to which she replied: "You've been insulting me the entire trial. Blatantly taking your headphones off, arguing with me, storming out, coming late intentionally if you don't like my rulings. So, quite frankly, this has been long overdue. So please be seated." In total, there have been 11 days of defense testimony, with the last two including expert opinions on Nikolas Cruz's mother's alcohol abuse while she was pregnant with him, which could have affected his brain development.

Nikolas Cruz s defense focused completely on his questionable parentage

Nikolas Cruz, solely responsible for 2018's Parkland High School shooting massacre, has been on trial since the start of the year. The ongoing penalty trial will determine his punishment -- a death sentence or a life imprisonment sentence without parole. Following the prosecution's strong case for the death penalty, which included several testimonies from witnesses, students, teachers, and parents of the deceased, and frightening surveillance videos of Nikolas Cruz firing his AR-15 rifle in halls and into classrooms, the defense molded their case around his problematic childhood. Court TV@CourtTVA neuropsychologist testified that Nikolas Cruz suffered fetal alcohol damage as a result of his birth mother's drinking.

The expert measured the #Parkland shooter's IQ at 83, a below average intelligence score for sufferers of fetal alcohol issues.
courttv.com/news/psycholog…162A neuropsychologist testified that Nikolas Cruz suffered fetal alcohol damage as a result of his birth mother's drinking.The expert measured the #Parkland shooter's IQ at 83, a below average intelligence score for sufferers of fetal alcohol issues. courttv.com/news/psycholog… Apart from his troubled childhood with Lynda Cruz, the defense also focused on Cruz's birth mother's severe alcohol abuse during her pregnancy. Dr. Kenneth Jones testified that his mother's alcohol abuse could have left him with a disorder related to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. He said: "I have never, ever in my life seen an individual who has seen affected (this much) by prenatal exposure to alcohol." According to Paul Connor, a Seattle-based neuropsychologist, Brenda Woodard, Nikolas Cruz's birth mother, used cocaine throughout the duration of her pregnancy, as can be understood from medical reports and witness testimonies. The jury is set to return on September 27 for the prosecution's rebuttal case. According to Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer, the closing arguments are set to begin on October 10. For Cruz to receive the death penalty, all the judges must be in unanimous agreement. Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Susrita Das × Feedback Thank You! Be the first one to comment Follow Us Share Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ Be the first one to comment on this story More from Sportskeeda Fetching more content... 1 Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout No Results Found Get the free App now Manage notifications Popular ‍ Sports (30+) CricketCricket HomeScheduleT20 World CupT20 warm upIND vs SAENG vs PAKAUS vs ENGLegends LeagueECS T10 CroatiaWBBL 2022ECC T10SMAT 2022Bukhatir LeagueNZ T20 Tri-SeriesWomen's Asia Cup 2022ECT10 FootballFootball HomeNewslettersSK Experts ScheduleEPLNations LeagueLa LigaLigue 1Champions LeagueFIFA WCMLS Bundesliga Serie A WWEWWE HomeNewslettersRumor RoundupRAWSmackDownResultsRosterChampionsWWE Crown Jewel 2022PPV ScheduleAEW EsportsEsports HomeMinecraftOverwatch 2RobloxGenshin ImpactFortniteGTAStreamersFree FirePUBGValorantBGMIPop CultureAnimeGaming TechWiki Guides TennisTennis HomeTennis calendarTennis Results TodayATP RankingsWTA RankingsRoger FedererRafael NadalNovak DjokovicSerena Williams MMAMMA HomeUFC NewsONE ChampionshipUFC Fight NightScheduleRankingsResultsUFC Fights TonightONE Championship ResultsONE Championship ScheduleONE Championship Rankings KabaddiKabaddi HomePKL 2022PKL SchedulePKL Points TableKabaddi Rules WikiWiki HomeMinecraft WikiNaruto WikiTikTok WikiYoutube WikiGTA WikiTerraria WikiOne Piece Wiki MoreSportsBasketballIndian FootballNFLMinecraftFormula 1NascarPop CultureCollege FootballHockeyGolfAthleticsBadmintonGymnasticsWrestlingSwimmingTennisShootingBoxingArcheryWinter SportsRobloxFree PicksSkateboardingKho KhoLifestyle LINKS About Us Write For Us Policies Editorial Standards Journalism Awards Fact Check Affiliate Program Careers CSR Privacy Policy Contact Us Edition: English हिन्दी