Florida
Florida jury sworn in to determine school shooter’s penalty
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The jury that can determine whether or not Nikolas Cruz ought to get the dying penalty for killing 17 individuals within the 2018 taking pictures rampage at a Parkland, Florida, highschool was lastly chosen Wednesday, after a painstaking, stop-and-start course of that took almost three months.
The protection wound up utilizing all 10 of its peremptory challenges, eliminating candidates for any cause aside from race or gender, whereas the prosecution used 4. On Wednesday, the protection used its last strikes to eradicate a retired insurance coverage firm govt and a banking govt who had been tentatively on the panel when courtroom adjourned Tuesday.
Circuit Decide Elizabeth Scherer shot down the protection’s try to make use of a peremptory to eradicate a Black man who stated throughout jury choice he didn’t consider within the existence of “white privilege” — the argument that white individuals get sure societal benefits due to their race. Scherer agreed with the prosecution’s argument that the protection’s reasoning confirmed racial bias.
The seven males and 5 ladies who have been chosen will return to courtroom July 18 for opening statements together with the ten alternates who have been additionally chosen. Cruz, 23, pleaded responsible in October to murdering 17 individuals at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive College on Feb. 14, 2018, which means the anticipated four-month trial will solely determine if he receives a penalty of dying or life in jail with out parole. If one juror opposes dying, the previous Stoneman Douglas scholar will obtain a life sentence.
The panel may have a job by no means confronted by a U.S. jury — no American mass shooter who killed at the very least 17 individuals has ever made it to trial. 9 others died throughout or instantly after their taking pictures assaults, killed both by police or themselves. The suspect within the 2019 slaying of 23 at a Walmart retailer in El Paso, Texas, is awaiting trial.
The 12 members of the principle jury are:
1. A pc employee for a municipal authorities. He previously labored in building and owns a handgun. He stated throughout jury choice he had no opinion on the case and solely remembers the unique headlines, however that “was not good information.”
2. A financial institution vice chairman. He’s a former officer within the French army and doesn’t personal any weapons.
3. A probation officer. He stated he’s a army veteran. He stated he had no sturdy opinion on the dying penalty, however realizes “some individuals are very enthusiastic about it.” He was not requested about gun possession.
4. A Walmart retailer stocking supervisor. He has a cousin who knew Cruz in highschool. He stated that he could possibly be honest concerning the dying penalty, however “both approach it goes, this individual ought to get no matter they’ve coming to them.” He was not requested about gun possession.
5. One other laptop technician for a municipal authorities. He owns a handgun and a rifle and stated he as soon as had an disagreeable expertise with a police officer, however was not requested to elaborate.
6. An insurance coverage claims adjuster for a serious well being care supplier. She doesn’t personal any weapons. She stated she will not be against the dying penalty, however voting for it “could be tough.”
7. A librarian. She stated each of her youngsters had legal expenses about 12 years in the past, however “they have been silly. They outgrew it.” She stated that whereas she might vote for the dying penalty, it “would not appear to be stopping any murders.” She doesn’t personal a gun.
8. A human sources skilled for a medical provides firm. She moved to Florida in 2019 and has a Ph.D. in enterprise. She is a board member for a bunch that advocates for individuals with psychological sickness. She owns a handgun.
9. A authorized assistant at a small legislation agency that largely does private harm circumstances. She beforehand labored for a prosecutors’ workplace in central Florida. She doesn’t personal a gun. She stated the dying penalty is acceptable in essentially the most severe circumstances, nevertheless it should not be computerized. “We have to take a look at the whole lot.”
10. A U.S. Customs officer. He served 4 years within the U.S. army. He didn’t particularly say if he owned any weapons, however stated within the army he certified on a dozen completely different firearms.
11. A person who now works in his household’s export enterprise after incomes his diploma in enterprise with an emphasis in leisure. He stated he has forgotten plenty of particulars concerning the Stoneman Douglas taking pictures. He was not requested if he owns weapons.
12. A girl who works as an investigator for a non-public agency. She stated that if she have been the ruler of an island, she wouldn’t have the dying penalty however might vote for it. She was not requested if she owned any weapons.
A Florida deputy is “fighting for his life” Friday after being critically injured in a “horrific accident” that claimed the lives of two of his colleagues, officials say.
Deputy Ignacio Diaz of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office was struck Thursday on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard by a female driver who was trying to pass a vehicle on her right, according to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. Diaz, along with Cpl. Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Ralph Waller, had been conducting traffic enforcement in the area.
“She overcompensated, got off the road and then struck all three of the motor officers, at which time all three went airborne in different directions,” Bradshaw said.
“Hopefully he is going to make it,” Bradshaw added regarding Diaz. “It’s a bad crash. We are jointly investigating this with Florida Highway Patrol.”
FLORIDA SHERIFF BREAKS UP ALLEGED MASSIVE CHECK FRAUD CONSPIRACY
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, who was critically injured Thursday after being hit by an SUV while conducting traffic enforcement. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)
Bradshaw said the accident happened after one of the officers made a traffic stop and then “could not get his motorcycle started, so he thought he had a dead battery.
“So he called the other two over to help him move the bike off the road. They were all three on the grassy area on the shoulder of the road, and they were going to wait for another PBSO vehicle to come with some battery cables,” he continued.
The female driver, who did not appear to be impaired and was traveling in a zone with a 55-mph speed limit, suffered minor injuries in the crash, the sheriff said.
Paez and Waller were airlifted to a hospital, where “they worked on them for as long as they could there,” but “they were injured so badly they just weren’t going to make it,” according to Bradshaw.
2 KENTUCKY POLICE OFFICERS SHOT DURING TRAFFIC STOP ON CAR REPORTED STOLEN
“Law enforcement, public safety and the military are the only professions when you leave the house and kiss your family goodbye, that might be the last time, and here’s the example of it,” Bradshaw said. “When a deputy dies, a piece of the community dies with them. It’s tough.”
The sheriff, who also called the accident “horrific,” said Diaz underwent surgery and is now in critical but stable condition in a local hospital’s ICU.
“This is our hero, Deputy Ignacio ‘Dan’ Diaz, currently fighting for his life. Deputy Diaz joined PBSO in 2004 and has been a valued member of our Motor Unit for over 10 years. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for him and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” the sheriff’s office wrote on its Facebook page.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our brothers, honor their memory, and support their families during this devastating time,” it added in a post announcing the deaths of Paez and Waller.
Motorcycles belonging to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
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As of Friday, it appears no charges have been filed following the accident. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
A Florida judge has granted the defense team’s motion for a mistrial in the Home Depot murder case because of an “unhinged juror.”
After more than five hours of deliberations earlier this week, an Escambia County judge called a mistrial for Shelia Agee, who is accused of helping her son kill the mother of his child at a Pensacola Home Depot store last year.
“A particular juror has not treated this case during the evidence with the seriousness that they should have, that has apparently continued during deliberations,” Judge Coleman Robinson told WKRG.
The problems reportedly began when juror Sallie Sue Smith was caught with a crossword puzzle during testimony, according to WEAR News 3.
MOTHER CHARGED AFTER ‘INCOMPREHENSIBLE’ TEXTS REVEAL SHE HELPED SON PLAN DEADLY FLORIDA SHOOTING: POLICE
Keith Agee, 20, and his mother, Sheila, were allegedly texting about his plans to kill Brooklyn Sims at The Home Depot in Pensacola. (Escambia County Sheriff’s Office)
On Tuesday, Smith was found working on a crossword puzzle during witness testimony. The next day, she was found using another crossword puzzle during deliberation.
Smith told WEAR News that the puzzle “helped her focus,” and denied any threatening behavior in the jury room.
“It was me,” Smith told WEAR News. “Well, I didn’t know it was a bad thing. I do that when I concentrate and I’m listening. You couldn’t see the bench or witness stand very well cause it was dark. But I could hear it… That’s just the way I do. I just do that and I had no idea and then when they told me I wasn’t supposed to do it, I stopped. And then, today, when I went into the jury room, I had another crossword puzzle.”
Other jurors also later shared concerns about their safety during deliberations with Judge Robinson.
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Sheila Agee, 50, is facing charges in the shooting death of 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims after allegedly helping her son plan the attack. (Washington County Jail)
“It is just a single piece of paper with a crossword puzzle printed on one side and not sure what’s on the other side,” said Robinson. “…I cannot ever recall a juror doing a crossword puzzle during a trial.”
Judge Robinson later questioned each juror, calling them in, one by one, and asked if they felt safe to continue after concerns were relayed to him by security.
Nearly 20 witnesses took the stand, while it took prosecutors less than two days to rest their case against Agee. However, due to the jury’s issues, the trial was “hindered beyond repair.”
Smith didn’t say what her decision was on a verdict, but denied any threatening behavior to WEAR News.
“We retired to the jury room and started to deliberate,” Smith said. “It became obvious to me right away that I was in the minority of one versus 11 other people… At first, it started out reasonable. A lot of shouting, and I can shout, too.”
“I do have a loud voice, but I was being shouted down by a lot of people,” Smith added.
KILLER MOM SUSAN SMITH DENIED PAROLE 30 YEARS AFTER DROWNING SONS
Keith Agee, 20, is charged with homicide and aggravated battery in the shooting death of 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims. (Escambia County Jail)
Agee, 51, was charged with principal to first-degree premeditated murder after police discovered text messages allegedly showing her help plan the shooting death of the mother of her son’s child, 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims, who was also Sheila’s co-worker.
Her son, Keith Agee, 20, was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the deadly Aug. 11, 2023 shooting of Sims.
“According to text messages, it’s clear that Keith Agee’s mother, Sheila Agee, knew and participated in the plan to kill Brooklyn Sims. Additionally, text messages between mother and son highlight the mother’s involvement in helping locate the victim,” the ECSO previously wrote on Facebook.
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The department released the alleged text messages between the mother and son on its Facebook page, claiming they took place right before Sims was shot and killed.
“The murder itself is unbelievable, but to know the mother knew about it and helped coordinate it is incomprehensible,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said previously via Facebook.
The case is expected to be back in court on Feb. 5.
“Another jury will have to come back and listen to the evidence in front of another jury where hopefully, those certain members will follow common sense, will follow the law, will treat their fellow jurors with decency and appropriateness. And will reach a verdict, whatever that may be, that is a fair and just verdict for both sides,” Robinson said.
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
DADE CITY, Fla. – Looking for a winter wonderland that isn’t too far from home? Snowcat Ridge in Dade City officially opens for the season on Friday.
Despite the state’s tropical landscape, Snowcat Ridge brings a unique alpine snow park and gives visitors a chance to experience snow and winter activities without leaving Florida.
The park’s centerpiece is a massive 60-foot-tall snow tubing hill with runs extending up to 400 feet, where families can zoom down on tubes while surrounded by snow.
READ: Top destinations people dream of traveling to for the holidays
“So this year, what we really wanted to do was focus on what people said they enjoy most—the Christmas aspects of the park. So I said, ‘okay, let’s really do the Christmas thing,’” said Winston McDaniel with Snowcat Ridge.
Guests can also build snowmen, create snow angels and engage in snowball play inside the park’s 10,000-square-foot Arctic Igloo. The facility also has cutting edge snow-making technology to maintain snowy conditions.
There’s also a cozy lodge for guests to grab hot chocolate and winter treats.
“It’s just about really doubling down on what it means to spend family time here at Christmas,” said McDaniel.
MORE: After 112 years, ‘Operation Santa’ still accepting letters
In the evening, the slopes at Snowcat Ridge transform into a colorful LED light display, illuminating the snow and creating an unforgettable atmosphere for guests.
For more information on the park and its hours of operation, visit snowcatridge.com.
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