Expert: School shooter’s mother drank heavily in pregnancy

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — One of many nation’s main fetal alcohol researchers testified Tuesday that Florida college shooter Nikolas Cruz’s delivery mom drank extra throughout her being pregnant than any girl he’s ever seen documented.

Dr. Kenneth Jones stated medical and different information present Brenda Woodward nicely exceeded the requirements that grossly endanger a fetus: six drinks per week for 2 weeks or three drinks in a sitting twice. A good friend additionally testified earlier that Woodard, a Fort Lauderdale prostitute, closely drank fortified wine and malt liquor throughout her being pregnant with Cruz earlier than placing him up for adoption. She died final 12 months.

“I do know I’ve by no means seen a lot alcohol consumed by a pregnant girl,” stated Jones, a former College of California, San Diego, medical college professor who did among the pioneering analysis on fetal alcohol abuse 50 years in the past.

Cruz, 23, pleaded responsible final October to murdering 14 college students and three workers members on Feb. 14, 2018, at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive College. His trial, now ending its second month, is simply to find out whether or not he’s sentenced to dying or life with out parole.

His attorneys try to indicate that Woodard’s alcohol abuse throughout being pregnant put Cruz onto a lifelong path of erratic, weird and sometimes violent habits that culminated within the shootings.

Jones advised the jury that whereas there’s disagreement over whether or not Woodard abused cocaine throughout her being pregnant — witnesses stated she did, assessments point out she didn’t — that wouldn’t have made a major distinction given her alcohol abuse.

“You possibly can take the entire illicit medicine you possibly can consider — heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine — and wrap them up in a single bag they usually don’t maintain a candle to alcohol for its impact on a growing child,” Jones stated.

He stated his examination exhibits Cruz falls into fetal alcohol spectrum dysfunction — a broad class — however doesn’t have the extra narrowly outlined fetal alcohol syndrome. He stated the latter has sure bodily traits that pediatricians can acknowledge reminiscent of skinny lips, slim eyelid openings and a clean philtrum — the ridge between the nostril and mouth.

He stated that lack of bodily traits can really be detrimental because the baby received’t get the correct early therapy for the harm the alcohol has executed to the mind. He stated adoptive moms like Lynda Cruz may also be afraid to report back to docs what they learn about a delivery mom’s alcohol abuse due to the stigma it might connect to their baby.

Jones stated indicators of fetal alcohol harm to a toddler embrace irritability, severe mood tantrums and important behavioral issues. He stated like Cruz, they’re typically recognized with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction, lack management in school and are aggressive towards their moms and lecturers. Earlier testimony has proven Cruz demonstrating all these points.

Jones is predicted to complete his testimony later Tuesday, together with cross-examination. His testimony adopted neuropsychologist Paul Connor, who stated Cruz by his life has proven indications on assessments that he has alcohol-related psychological points.

Cruz’s public defenders try to persuade not less than one of many 12 jurors to vote for all times — a dying verdict should be unanimous.

They’re attempting to beat the prosecution’s case, which centered on Cruz’s bloodbath as he stalked a three-story classroom constructing for seven minutes with an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle. Lead prosecutor Mike Satz performed safety movies of the capturing and confirmed the rifle Cruz used. Lecturers and college students testified about watching others die.

Satz confirmed graphic post-mortem and crime scene photographs and took jurors to the fenced-off constructing, which stays blood-stained and bullet-pocked. Mother and father and spouses gave tearful and indignant statements about their loss.

After the protection concludes its case within the coming weeks, the prosecution will current a rebuttal case earlier than the jury’s deliberations start.