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.
TAMPA – Jesuit High School senior quarterback Will Griffin always idolized Florida Gator football legend Tim Tebow.
“I look up to him,” Griffin said.
However, it’s Tebow that is now looking up at Griffin, at least when it comes to the high school football record books.
What they’re saying:
“He’s definitely the once in a career type of player,” Jesuit head coach Matt Thompson said. “You don’t really get it that much. Not as a quarterback. I have not had a quarterback be as special as Will.”
In the first game of the 2025 season, Griffin surpassed the 10,000 passing yards career milestone. He is just the 10th player in high school football history in the sunshine state to ever join that club, according to MaxPreps. Tebow finished his career at Nease High School with 9,765 passing yards.
“10,000 was amazing,” Griffin said. “It is really hard to do that. I’ve got to remind myself that I go out here and play for the team. I am not playing for myself or the stats that follows. If you can have a good team around you and a great defense to get you the ball, a great offense that can score, the stats will naturally come.”
The backstory:
It certainly helps he was able to play varsity football as a seventh and eighth grader under Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Mike Alstott at Northside Christian. Griffin makes it clear; however, he does not deserve all of the credit for hitting this mark.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the offensive line,” Griffin said. “If it wasn’t for the receivers catching my passes. If it wasn’t for the running backs running touchdowns to open up the pass. A lot of things go into it.”
READ: State Basketball Championships moving to Jacksonville after decades in Lakeland
A lot of things go into his success, but Jesuit head football coach Matt Thompson says Griffin has a lot of the traits to be successful.
“He has all of the measurables,” Thompson said. “[He has] the size, the speed, the strength and the arm strength as a quarterback. His football IQ is outstanding. He understands the game. He understands the offense. He understands the defense. He’s a total package.”
The University of Florida was impressed with those abilities and offered him a scholarship. For the kid who grew up watching the Gators on fall Saturdays, it’s a dream come true.
Going to Gainesville
“It’s just home,” Griffin said. “It felt like the right place for me to be. Very excited. I want to get there. I want to help out. I want to contribute. I want to play really badly.”
However, at this moment, Griffin just wants to soak in his last few months as a high school football player.
“I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can because I know it’s going to end soon,” Griffin said. “I want to make sure I take in every moment.”
That’s because Griffin wants to be remembered not for his stats but for who he is as a person.
“I want people to remember me more as a leader rather than going to Florida,” Griffin said. “I want it to be more like, ‘He was a leader. He gave everything to the team. He never quit. He never gave up.’”
Griffin will enroll early at Florida. He was the first commit for Billy Napier in the 2026 recruiting class.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Mark Skol, Jr.
Florida
Thousands of Northeast Florida students, community members pour out support for Charlie Kirk at vigil
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Students and community members from across Northeast Florida gathered Sunday evening at Veterans Park to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed last week while speaking at Utah Valley University.
The vigil that brought out thousands was organized by student-led chapters of Turning Point USA, including groups from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, Creekside High School and St. Augustine High School.
VIDEO | ‘He sparked a movement’: News4JAX political analyst discusses political impact of Kirk assassination
Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point, was known for his rallies, debates and outspoken presence on college campuses across the country.
“Somebody that inspired me, somebody who made me want to voice my own opinion and how I feel about things going around in the world and my beliefs,” Abigail Venuto said.
Gov. DeSantis condemns ‘increasing levels of political violence’ after Charlie Kirk shot at campus event in Utah
Students who talked with News4JAX said the event honored Kirk’s legacy.
“We honored his movement,” Jaden Duffey said.
Mourners lit candles and left flowers and handwritten messages at the vigil.
Duffey, former president of Creekside High School’s Turning Point USA chapter, urged unity.
“We’re in the midst of a political escalation,” he said. “Everybody needs to de-escalate and we’re not alone. We’re unified as Americans and that’s the most important thing.”
Duffey said during his time with Creekside chapter he had the chance to meet Kirk several times over breakfast.
“Someone who has accumulated millions of followers it was just stunning,” Duffey said. “Then you realize that he’s a very humble person inside.”
Duffey said he was in disbelief when he first heard the news of Kirk’s death. He said there were lots of calls and conversation leading up to Sunday’s vigil.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the vigil in a social media post earlier in the day, saying deputies would have a “large law enforcement presence” at the park and surrounding area as a precaution.
“We’ve got to calm down,” Duffey said. “We have to bring back the American way – the first amendment right, allowing people to just disagree with one another no matter how passionate it is but violence is never the option.”
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
The No. 18 South Florida Bulls play against the No. 5 Miami Hurricanes in a college football game today. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. CT on The CW Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV.
The Bulls enter this matchup with a 2-0 record, and they have already defeated two ranked opponents this season. In their most recent game, the Bulls defeated Florida 18-16.
During the victory, Byrum Brown led the South Florida offense. He completed 23-36 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown, so he will look to perform similarly this afternoon.
Notably, Brown led the team in rushing with 66 yards on the ground.
The Hurricanes also enter this matchup with a 2-0 record, and they are coming off a 45-3 win against Bethune-Cookman.
During the victory, Carson Beck led the Miami offense. He completed 22-24 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns, which highlights his arm talent.
Beck has thrown for four touchdowns and nearly 500 yards this season, so he will try to continue his offensive success today.
Fans can watch this college football game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV.
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