Nikolas Cruz.
Where have you heard that name before? He is responsible for the seventeen murders and seventeen attempted murders associated with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that took place exactly one month ago today, February 14th. In recent blog posts, I have explored cases related to uncertainty and doubt. Cases where the accused were never given the chance to fully prove their innocence. Today, I am going to discuss a case with unreasonable doubt. As mentioned before, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
Florida recently abolished its non-unanimous jury that was able to sentence Capital Punishment with a 10-2 vote, but the death penalty is still legal in the state. Capital Punishment is being brought into question in Cruz’s case due to the nature and extent of his crimes. According to Michael J. Satz, the Broward State attorney on the case, Cruz knowingly posed the risk of death on many individuals and the killings were “a homicide… committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner.” With a combination of intent and malicious desire, Cruz was able to effectively terrorize his high school in response to whatever wrongdoings he believed that the high school imposed upon him throughout his nineteen years of living.
So why not give Nikolas Cruz the death penalty?
Is it wrong for Cruz to be executed when authorities missed so many of the red flags? Warning signs that were reported to authorities were never officially investigated. The FBI even admitted that it failed on acting on a tip given about Cruz. Although Cruz has not plead guilty in the court case, his attorney is pushing for a life sentence in exchange for this plea.
The horrific and gut-wrenching acts that occurred in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14th will not be forgotten regardless of Cruz’s sentence. Student activists such as Emma Gonzalez, student of the high school, have taken to social media to defend their right to safety within the borders of the school walls. A common theme in today’s society is that our student government at the times when thought to be the weakest tends to be the strongest.
What is your opinion on the matter? Do you believe that Nikolas Cruz should face the death penalty for the crimes he has committed. If not the death penalty, what do you believe his punishment should be?
I do not personally support the death penalty in most cases due to its extremity because I am one to believe that there are punishments far greater than death if given the opportunity to live. The seventeen individuals who lost their lives on that day in Florida deserve justice as well as the hundreds of thousands of students who have lost their lives over the years to senseless shootings causes in other high schools.
It is important to recognize the signs of a potential school shooter and to immediately alert the authorities if you suspect any mal intent or harm to occur in the future. The FBI and other authority figures will learn to take every tip seriously and investigate to their best ability. It is also important to seek help if you are the victim of one of these senseless acts.
Research “Nikolas Cruz” to learn more about this case and leave your opinions in the comments below.