Judge berates defense attorney in Parkland massacre case: 'You've been insulting me the entire trial!'



The judge in the Parkland massacre trial berated the defense team at length after they failed to advise the court that they were preemptively ending their case on Wednesday.

Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer had a heated exchange with lead defense attorney Melisa McNeill after she told the court that the team was not calling any more witnesses. They had originally said they were going to call 80 witnesses but ended their case after only calling about 11 witnesses.

"Um, your honor, at this time, the defense rests," said McNeill.

Scherer gasped in exasperation.

"We're not playing chess!" Scherer said.

After asking if the prosecution was ready to present their case and finding that they had been waiting for more witnesses, Scherer blew up at the defense team.

"I just want to say this is the most uncalled for, unprofessional way to try a case!" said Scherer.

"You all knew about this and even if you didn't make your decision until this morning, to have 22 people plus all of the staff and every attorney march into court, be waiting as if it's some type of game!" she continued.

"Now I have to send them home, the state's not ready, they're not gonna have a witness ready, we have another day wasted," Scherer concluded. "Honestly, I have never experienced a level of unprofessionalism in my career. It's unbelievable!"

McNeill tried to explain her actions and then accused the judge of insulting her in front of her client.

"You've been insulting me the entire trial!" Scherer shot back. “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.”

Nikolas Cruz has pled guilty to murdering 14 students and three staff members in the 2018 attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The trial is to determine whether Cruz will be sentenced to death or life without possibility of parole.

Here's the video of Scherer's comments:

Judge Yells at ‘Insulting’ Parkland Shooter’s Defense, Rips ‘Unprofessionalism’www.youtube.com

Judge flabbergasted by woman's 'sugar daddy' excuse to get out of jury duty for Parkland shooting trial



People will concoct outlandish excuses to get out of jury duty. One potential juror in the Parkland shooting trial had a unique reason why she couldn't fulfill her civic duty. The possible juror said she couldn't serve jury duty because she had prior obligations with her "sugar daddy."

Parkland gunman Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty in October to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder for the February 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

On Monday, the three-step jury selection began, and is expected to last two months, according to the New York Post.

During jury selection, the judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court in Florida asked if anyone had any concerns or questions. One potential juror's response left Judge Elizabeth Scherer flabbergasted.

The prospective juror, who was identified as "Miss Bristol," had issues with serving jury duty in the Parkland shooting trial because it interfered with several family birthdays and engagements with her sugar daddy, who she sees "every day" despite being married.

“This is a whole entire month,” the woman tells the judge. “First of all let me clarify myself, July 2nd is my birthday, 4th is my son, and the 18th is my other son. That ain't gonna work out for me."

Scherer asks Miss Bristol to talk slower.

“Don’t talk too fast, we have to be able to understand," Judge Scherer requests before asking, "So you said that the July, there’s dates in July that you’re not available? What are those dates?”

Miss Bristol clarifies, "July 7th, July 4th, and July 18th."

"And again, I need to figure out something. I have my sugar daddy that I see every day,” Bristol says, according to courtroom video.

A befuddled Judge Scherer quizzically inquires, "I’m sorry?"

Bristol reiterates, “My sugar daddy."

Scherer, who is still befuddled, responds, “OK, I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about."

The potential juror explains, "I’m married, and I have my sugar daddy. I see him every day."

The flummoxed Judge Scherer replies, "OK. All right. Ma’am, we’ll come back to you, OK? Thank you."

Fox News reported that more than 120 of the first 160 possible juror candidates were dismissed by Judge Scherer, including Miss Bristol. A total of 12 jurors and eight alternatives will be selected.

The jury will not decide whether Cruz committed the murders, but will decide whether or not he will be sentenced to life in prison or be giventhe death penalty.

On Monday, Judge Scherer permitted the jury to take a tour of the crime scene at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The defense had argued that a tour was not necessary because there are videos and photos of the crime scene.

"The Court finds that a jury view of the crime scene remains useful and proper, even in light of the current posture of the case," Scherer wrote in a ruling. "The purpose of a jury view is to assist the jury in analyzing and applying the evidence presented at trial."

Mom released from Parkland jury because of her sugar daddy www.youtube.com