Parkland victims' loved ones react to life in prison sentence

Loved ones of those who were murdered in the 2018 Parkland school massacre gave emotional reactions immediately after a jury decided to recommend life in prison without parole for Nikolas Cruz.
The jury said that it could not unanimously agree that he should be executed. The decision to spare Cruz's life left many of the victims' families angry and in tears.
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[@Pink7omy]

Peter Wang’s cousin knows EXACTLY how we all feel. This was insane and cruel to the victims.

[@TeaSpiracy]

We know how SHE feels. Horrible. So sad.

[@covid45gate11]

Cops only kill unarmed African Americans and Republican cry when people riot on the streets over the death of unarmed African Americans

[@RB01.10]

It actually costs more to have the death penalty and doesn’t even get carried out for years. They have no right to complain, it’s not like he walked free like Emmitt Till’s killers or OJ Now those families got the raw end

[@stewartwatson7136]

I admire her strength

[@kittenkaterinaxoxo9986]

Peter Wang's Cousin broke my heart. Everything she said with such conviction. I agree with her 100 percent. "My aunt's dying" Is such a powerful statement because after watching her during the victim impact statement you can see she really is from a broken heart. It's horrible and heartbreaking that these families and especially the victims themselves did not receive justice.

[@kelliewebb8426]

I'm about to say something that might piss some people off, but oh well. I think its great that he got a life sentence because trust and believe he will be punished by other inmates, he will become someone's bitch. And trust and believe me when I tell you that the correctional officers will not protect him. He will make a great girlfriend. He is young and I imagine he is healthy so he can be tortured for the rest of his pathetic life.

[@jaretzyvargas1306]

It's absolutely heartbreaking 💔 these parents deserve justice for their kids and the victims deserve justice 🥺🥺

[@jonstone9741]

@@jaretzyvargas1306 The parents did get justice. Cruz didn't get away with his crimes. He got life without parole. He's young, and he will be suffering in prison for at least 50 years unless another inmate kills him or he kills himself. Jeffrey Dahmer was beaten to death by another inmate. Cruz will never get out of prison alive.

[@jaretzyvargas1306]

@@jonstone9741 he won't Cruz will remain in jail for the rest of his life

[@sweetassugar2076]

I bet big bubba is happy waiting back in nick’s cell . Old Nicky boys bung hole is gunna look like hamburger…

[@aperfectcircle0219]

“Not everyone's a victim.” He's absolutely right. It does not matter how bad your life has been if you senselessly take away the lives of others.

[@PureEnergy6549]

But, funny how the cameramen, Law enforcement,, and news crew are there before the shooter is.

[@PureEnergy6549]

@Jeffrey Epstein all propaganda, just to get people in fear. Crisis actors involved. Been proven, seeing the same person on the screen in different scenarios.

[@valerieirvin249]

👍🎯

[@valerieirvin249]

@@PureEnergy6549 someone called for help before the trigger was pulled, school personnel, students, etc. There were calls being made, you can be sure of it.....

[@bobm7250]

@Jeffrey Epstein Sandy Hook was not at fake! Alex Jones has lied to you, and now he has to pay 965 million dollars to the families of the victims that he has harassed and bullied for almost a decade!

[@WPNSTV]

What a wonderful speech and great delivery by this man. I know that this large group of victims appreciate him being able to articulate some of their thoughts and feelings.

[@TheMaleficent1]

I LOVED Peter Wang's cousin. Wished she went in harder on the jurors, but, I appreciated the f-bombs... a lot!

[@zoey8426]

TRUTH!!!

[@jeffreydahmer6547]

@TheMaleficent1, yeah, i luv her 2, she bad a$$, her, Joaquin Olivers parents, Joaquin Olivers SO-CALLED GIRLFRIEND, Joaquin Olivers sister, Linda Beigel Schulman, Mike Schulman, & Alyssa Alhadeffs father, however, u pronounce his name, ALL BAD A$$, LUV EM

[@lisasmith4296]

This just gives future shooters a “ whatever I’ll just go to jail” attitude

[@shimmer8289]

💯

[@DamnWhoAsked]

Pretty much.

[@RB01.10]

That’s incorrect The death penalty has been shown not to be an effective deterrent to crime

[@shimmer8289]

@@RB01.10 a person who gave the death penalty to 17 people most children.

[@jennifers8843]

@@RB01.10because they usually die of old age living in Holiday Inns with bars before the death penalty is carried out! Is that addressed in that statistic or is the statistic more progressive manipulation?

[@elizabethd189]

I am so glad she spoke up about him forever looking over his shoulder in fear in general population. Her anger is palpable, my heart goes out to all of them. I can't believe they let him have life

[@alphonserobichaud1278]

A mass murderer and a young one will be in protective custody. He will not be put in general population.

[@paulettelamontagne6992]

I don't know why you thought you'd get anything but life this should be no death penalty. What he did was horrific but it won't bring anybody back he won't have the opportunity to kill again

[@laureng6083]

I actually could care less about his upbringing. He wasn’t insane. He knew what he was doing, and he took 17 beautiful lives. My heart hurts bad for all of you !! That said , his time in prison might be shorter than if he got death due to how long that takes. Rest assured .. his time will be bad. He will now get to live wit the fear he gave your daughter. I am so so sorry. We are all fighting for you all.

[@opossumfpv]

And no, Cruz will be in P.C. and well fed 3 times per day so his tummy stays full so he can comfortably masturbate to the memory of killing these children for the next 80 years That's the reality

[@laureng6083]

Sorry , I go fast and furious. Not always checking my writing. 😂

[@kevaflores1476]

Well said Lauren G!

[@Spookybozo]

Sad to say, he probably doesn’t have that fear. It’s been evident that all he wanted was the infamy of being known as “the next school shooter of 2018”. He doesn’t care about anyone or anything now. I hate to think that even when that moment does come, when his pathetic life is about to taken by an inmate, he’ll just welcome it and won’t feel that terror. I hope I’m wrong though.

[@jackiemoon4587]

My heart goes out to all these families and to Peter Wang's cousin for being so real and saying what needs to be done. Much love to them all.

[@lisacurtislush]

Absolutely heartbroken 💔 for all the families that had to sit through months of torture in that courtroom, to listen to the awful injuries that their children, spouses had endured on that sad day, then to see that murderer get life, unbelievable......🙏🏼 xxx

[@amytaylor3956]

Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a wonderful day. God bless you!!❤️❤️

[@kennaj6080]

I am so so distraught for these families. I hope many sit down to watch these impact statements. I am in such disbelief with the jury! This prosecution team was one of the most passionate & in depth I’ve ever seen. Glad to see all the families are thankful for them even after the verdict :(

[@MrJimmy-fl2bn]

The criminal had fetal alcohol syndrome disorder so he can’t be held accountable whatsoever. Fetal alcohol syndrome disorder is murder license in Broward county what a pathetic jury.

[@RB01.10]

This is nothing compared to the jury who let Emmitt Till’s killers and OJ walk free . They truly got away with murder and didn’t get punished

[@Livindaybyday]

People who shoot just one or two people get the death penalty, how is this different? But he will get his in prison. These parents, spouses and loved ones deserve justice. My heart goes out to them all.

[@dannyboy6332]

No he won’t !! You people watch too many movies! He will be in protective custody for years. His ass will have an i tablet , phone , internet and tv.

[@RB01.10]

You’re looking at it like vengeance instead of justice. Justice not being served would be him walking free like OJ or the guys who killed Emmitt Till. AKA no one getting punished.

[@raystrong2823]

​​@@dannyboy6332 Well...maybe. But Jeffrey Dahmer wasn't in protective custody while in prison for his horrendous crimes and look what happened to him. Someone in the prison system will remove "protective custody" from this killer at some point for an hour or day, then we'll see what happens. We'll all just have to wait and see how that aspect of this monsters life in prison "works out".

[@flatbush9117]

🥱 🥱🥱

[@DamnWhoAsked]

@@flatbush9117🤡🤡🤡

[@cueball93]

There should be a pardon offered to whoever rightfully brings justice to Cruz while he’s in prison.

[@stEvEnnn219]

U do realize he’s in isolation plus if he was to be with others other prisoners those prisoners are worse then him or sick then him they should not be pardoned

[@leanneadams2549]

GREAT comment !!!!

[@MaVeRiCk77]

Dumb comment.

[@kaylacsonka]

I cannot get over that lady doing the middle finger and laughing with that killer. I’m sure anyone on that defense team would not be laughing if the roles were reversed and it was their child or loved one that died at the hands of a shooter. unbelievable!! I know the families of the victims were instructed to not show any emotion, but the fact that they have remained as poised as they did even when talking directly to the killer is beyond me. This is just a terrible situation and another example of how shittty our “justice” system is. What an embarrassment

[@SamaraSmile]

Cant trust Florida jurors after the Casey Anthony trial. That was unbelievable!!

[@joeygirl_]

So true!

[@nikkijackson4419]

Don't forget about George Zimmerman that was textbook injustice as well. Kids' lives don't matter in Florida. I'm not surprised I sat in on jury in Broward County Florida before and I couldn't believe how idiotic some of the other jurors were when it came down to deliberation. I swear IQ test should be a part of the selection process.

[@Littlekitten_]

💛they only did right with Cherish Periwinkle sending that monster to death row .

[@zoey8426]

TRUTH!!!!!!

[@stellaelectrahsky]

SO TRUE. I wish this happened in Texas. We happily put sick fucks like this down and for far less. We execute at least 200 per year.

[@shellyduval9646]

My heart breaks for these families.

[@alphonserobichaud1278]

He's been in jail almost 5 years already and no one kill him yet. He's probably in protective custody in jail. He looks pretty good, it's sickening the way the jury did their job.

[@ladyhawk9032]

He hasn't been in general population, and definitely not in a prison yet either.

[@kevinlight786]

He hasn't been in a maximum security prison yet. He will only now get sent to the "real" prison. He's going to get quite a shock to the system. Max security prison is one dangerous place. Remember what happened to the serial killer cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer? Stabbed to death by a fellow inmate while cleaning the gym I seem to remember.

[@RB01.10]

How sad you and these families fill your hearts with hate and revenge.

[@michaellovely6601]

Now that Nikolas Cruz has been officially sentenced to multiple life sentences for his crimes; I have a slight hunch that he is incarcerated at the Florida State Prison for Men in Raiford, FL as it is where the worst of Florida's male criminals are incarcerated and it is also where the men's death row is located. Florida's female death row inmates are incarcerated and ultimately executed at the Florida State Prison for Women in Starke, FL. Ohio (the state I live in) has only one prison for women in the entire state: the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville. This is also where Ohio's female death row is located; however the only woman on death row in Ohio is a woman named Donna Roberts. Meanwhile the worst of Ohio's male criminals are incarcerated at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, OH and it's also where the men's death row in Ohio is located.

[@DamnWhoAsked]

@@RB01.10How sad that you firmly believe they don't have the right to feel that way.🤡

[@OGXORIRI]

Goodness, the passion in all of these folks is truly moving. I pray a miracle happens, and all of their true wishes are granted. This verdict is insane. As stated many times this was the perfect death penalty case. There were absolutely no obstacles preventing them from doing so. My heart goes out to all affected people and families. 🤟🏼 This is tragic.

[@streamer_services]

I don't think there's one person that has half a brain in their head that believes that that was the right verdict to come out with.... I also think that in a case like this and it would have to be a case-by-case thing that they ought to leave it up to the victims families to say what his punishment ought to be.

[@OGXORIRI]

@@streamer_services totally agree with you. Couldn’t have been a bigger slap in the face!

[@alexandrel6344]

The thing is though, he's going to live in a hellhole for the rest of his life. To say that is cutting him slack is not true, there are reasons why people kill themselves when they are sentenced to life.

[@PirateCommander]

This was a perfect life not death case IMO. Anyone who couldn't see that coming let their feelings come before an objective think through. I wouldn't have been shocked if it went death, but I made a free bet and won. Anyone shocked it went life, should really consider why on earth they're actually shocked. Cruz is one hell of a rare specimen, thankfully. That said, he certainly was justified in law with making his mercy pleas. I'm almost entirely against the death penalty, but not totally and I would carry it out myself should it be a 'not totally' to me. What I will say though is, that wherever there is a referendum to introduce one, IMO EVERYONE wanting it should ONLY be able to vote FOR by name, not anonymously ... such that then, in lottery fashion, their names might be drawn to be the executioner, on pain of life sentence for refusal. It wouldn't hurt to include it on every national ballot would it ? I'm betting it be abolished and never voted back if the carry it out lotto applied. I have NO doubt that nowhere will introduce a death penalty with such a proviso.

[@Tuinierenopstrobalen]

As a European I pray for the USA to wake up and stop selling and allowing guns the way you have done until now. But I'm afraid I'm asking for the impossible. Even though it's so simple..😭

[@diazcamposalizadaniela4636]

What Peters cousin tried to said is that the monster said he remembered how Peter's head exploded like a watermelon, he also spoke about Cara and Meadow's murderers... I can't with this...

[@evatesche]

Yes and that he gave him a nasty look so he shot him again...

[@stevieRay3211]

More consideration for the criminal than for the victims and innocence. Hopefully jailhouse justice will make things right.

[@thememe986]

The victims are hardly going to notice anyway since they are already dead. What bothers me more is these parents trying to make it about them.

[@lauragepner7145]

Agree with the jailhouse justice comment I'm hoping he gets what should be coming

[@lula366]

@@thememe986 What the hell are you talking about, are you a parent ??

[@barbarajones9385]

@@thememe986 It IS about them. Their family members were murdered and they have to live with it for the rest of their lives.

[@W47689]

@@thememe986 there child was executed by a monster who j got the nicest sentence he could've gotten this was a farse and a political shitshow

[@aliyaanderson]

I feel so horrible for these families I am so so sorry.. I can feel the families anger hurt and pain through their words and faces.. he took so much from these families and their anger is JUSTIFIED and expected!!

[@joyluke10]

I too feel so terrible for the families too, what about their mental health now and in the years to come. There is no peace for them to seek...

[@oxlivelifeloveox]

As a former MSD student, my heart is absolutely broken. This could have been my parents. I cannot fathom the pain and suffering the families have to endure for the rest of their lives. you all will be remembered forever. Things have to change. Enough is enough.

[@Spookybozo]

As one of the mothers who lost her daughter in Uvalde said: “There is a mother out there hearing this testimony, thinking to herself “I can’t imagine their pain”, not realizing that our reality, will one day be hers, unless we act NOW!”

[@shrekxrohankishibe]

@@SpookybozoI remember that. Lexi Rubio’s mother made such powerful statements

[@Paigedh1776]

Tragic, tragic, tragic. This entire situation is a tragedy. My sadness for these families is so great. ❤

[@lukecwalton295]

44:21 Wang made me cry.She should be a lawyer

[@Keeper_91]

She has a gift for speaking. I could see her traveling to highschools and giving presentations to students. She’s powerful that’s for sure.

[@lorizim1976]

I wanted to be there to hug them all but she didn't hold back and good for her ..she said exactly what she felt

[@KP-rh5qz]

Her statement was very powerful😢, she should pursue law school and become an attorney.

[@CarolinaBlood704]

Ling Chen

[@diazcamposalizadaniela4636]

Luke, Martín, Gina, Alex, Alaina, Alyssa, Carmen, Helena, Nicholas, Aaron, Christopher, Scott, Meadow, Cara, Joaquín, Jaime, Peter 😞💔 This day it's a gut punch for all, your families, the people that misses You, people that want justice...

[@codeinecrazyfuture]

A life sentence is NOT acquittal!

[@isaacbarrow9155]

I lost my best friend to a murder when I was 11. I can't even imagine how intense the pain would be for a parent.

[@n0110]

Who was the suspected Criminal who did it do you have any links and sources may I ask?

[@anechoicsoul]

11??? 😢 im so sorry.

[@SeanPGribbons]

I hope they are able to find some peace. The justice system failed everyone in this country.

[@louiehernandez4741]

no it didn't. You just don't agree with the decision. May God bless your bitter and angry heart.

[@SeanPGribbons]

@@louiehernandez4741 you have shown others that it’s okay to kill you will only have to live. He walked up and shot some of these people being inches from them. What kind of sick evil creature does that and gets to survive? It’s a disgrace.

[@louiehernandez4741]

@@SeanPGribbons I have shown it's ok to kill? How so? Cruz should spend the rest of his life in prison. He's not going home.

[@listeningeyes3298]

There is ABSOLUTELY NO “TRUE JUSTICE” in this MASSACRE OF ALL OF THESE STUDENTS AND ADULTS. MURDERERS SUCH AS THIS ARE DEMON POSSESSED, TAKE THEM OUT!!

[@prtrinilan4357]

@@louiehernandez4741 Let it be your daughter or son the next time and see if you’ll be talking caca! You are what you defend...obviously!

[@jeffs4483]

He gets to watch endless TV, and play video games in prison in his own room, gets 3 hots and a cot all on our dime. What an easy life. Justice system is a joke.

[@luciac9123]

EXACTLY!!

[@jeremysanders9336]

Oh please. If it’s such a vacation, why don’t you get yourself a prison sentence?

[@Ebenezer456]

Totally agree. This piece of filth should have long left this world by now.

[@CelticSoul82]

He’ll have tv perhaps, but where do you think video games are provided for inmates? I mean, I would argue that there shouldn’t even be tv in prison, but I highly doubt he’s going to be sitting back playing on his play station

[@LaymanGamin]

Facts smh yet cops shoot the innocent people before they even get a trial smh

[@mavisjones9391]

I just went through trial starting the week of August 15th (I’m the victim of a rapist/child predator) the jury was out 10 hours and I didn’t know how I would go on in life if he was found not guilty. Thankfully they came back with a guilty verdict and yesterday October 14th we had sentencing and he got LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE 🙌🏼‼️ This happened to me at 12 and now I’m 37 he got away with it for so many years and then did it to my five year old niece (my mom didn’t believe me and she stayed with him that how he was able to do it to my niece) that’s how my case got brought up again. My brother wouldn’t cooperate with law enforcement for my niece so the state brought my case to trial . I’m so thankful for the jury, I can understand how these families feel, I don’t know how I would have bared living with a not guilty verdict. My heart truly goes out to y’all, life can be so unfair but I promise the lord will deal with him and I’m sure he won’t make it in prison long. May God bless you all💚

[@debbiemartin2026]

I am so glad you have the Lord. Life is impossible without His Love and promises to us. I’m sorry for what you went through. God bless.

[@proudmarinemomma827]

I’m so sorry. Prayers to you both. God bless.

[@raystrong2823]

Yes, the LORD JESUS will deal with him as he'll deal with all who do not know him as LORD AND SAVIOR.

[@belladonnapearl9066]

I agree. My heart goes out to the victims.

[@Stopthisrightnow560]

Just wait... Someone will get to him in prison.

[@alexisb9257]

I REALLY really hope so.

[@justicepower1255]

Here's hoping 🤞🏾

[@MaVeRiCk77]

It's not the movies. He will never see general population.

[@Lee.Lee.1983]

I am worried for the direction this country is going. We cannot let these bleeding hearts destroy our safety. The “ less fortunate” are getting passes and good people are suffering because of this.

[@amy109]

Vote like you’re life depends on it and get something to defend yourself.

[@lauraindira8421]

It’s not the “ bleeding hearts”, it’s the people who are okay with Anyone purchasing these rifles.

[@RavenFeathers90]

Death penalty should not exist. It's not even about Cruz. It's about setting the precedent that death penalty is an acceptable punishment. And once we establish that, all other future cases could result in death penalty. BUT, the state has executed hundreds of wrongly convicted innocents. Unless you can guarantee 100% accurate conviction rate, you are accidentally killing innocent people. So everyone is saying to kill Cruz because he deserves it. Did people like George Stinney, an innocent 14 year old black kid wrongly convicted and executed, deserve it? Because there WILL be more George Stinney's as long as the death penalty is in place.

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

@@lauraindira8421 Rifles have been around in the US for a long time. Far longer than these mass shootings have become rampant. The issue isn't the inanimate object. It's the people. This is what happens when America has abandoned morals and decency, and believes in nothing greater than themselves. And I don't mean God. I mean people put their own warped, perverted, selfish desires above all else and live for instant gratification. We are a nation of apathetic narcissists. We need to look at why a bunch of young, white, frustrated and demonized kids are so full of hatred, and have given up on life to the point that they're willing to throw their own lives away and take as many others as they can. We should look at the widespread dispensing of psychoactive drugs that are so easily prescribed, the obsession with social media, bullying in schools... there are so many things that contribute, but the inanimate object that's been available for hundreds of years is not one of them. That being said, the "bleeding hearts" (such as yourself) are just as responsible for allowing these shootings to happen as the jury that failed these parents. You react on emotion only, and you refuse to vote for, or enact measures that would actually make a difference. Things such as armed guards in schools, educating teachers on the handling of firearms and allowing them to protect themselves and their students, getting rid of GuN FrEE zOnEs (the absolute dumbest logic in existence), installing metal detectors... simple things that we have set up in high end retail stores to protect precious goods. What are more precious than our children? But instead of implementing common sense measures that could make a real difference, you want to stand on a political agenda because of your own misguided and ignorant opinion of inanimate objects that you know nothing about. Banning guns, restricting AR-15's, limiting magazine capacity will do nothing to stop criminals. Go ahead and ban murder and drugs while you're going down that list. And before you start with... "but, but muh other countries...", this isn't another country. This is America.

[@raystrong2823]

"Less fortunate"? "Bleeding hearts?" I've heard that ignorant and stupid phraseology for over 55 yrs now. Stop with that nonsense. That's NOT the reason why this country's going downhill ("IF" one believes indeed it is falling apart). You need to rethink your value system.

[@jeffs4483]

Proof we don't have Justice in this country.

[@GiGibjs9]

Yes you have it, he is going to be in jail for the rest of his life, in my country that not even exist. Be thankful for that, death penalty is not actually necessary.

[@xdtijnntssyu3314]

you do! he will actually suffer more being life in prison it’s sad

[@aliwooz913]

how is he gonna suffer more?? have you not. been paying attention to this entire trial ? he is going to have a clean place to sleep, eat, read, etc etc. he needs a .45 between the eyes at point blank range. America has a pathetic justice system. what did he need to kill another 10 more to get the death penalty??? what a joke. this is just going to keep happening more and more mark my word

[@elenamode]

Proof that everyone will not agree on what justice looks like

[@TheLucidSpecter]

There is. You just don't agree with this one.

[@MrDavenez]

It's extremely sad when you can't send your kids to school anymore without that thought of what if... I feel so much empathy for all these families 😪 My heart is so broken for them 💔

[@hannah3146]

It's true I'm terrified to let me only child go back to regular school 😢I can't imagine this families pain 😢 I think Nicolas will eventually get murdered in prison

[@MrDavenez]

@@hannah3146 I agree, he wore his big creepy jeffrey dahmer glasses throughout the trial and I just kept thinking if he does get life the same thing will probably happen to him.

[@shawnclifton7196]

So which is it a war zone or a rare occurrence

[@yourlittlefire247]

thisonly happens in the us.

[@CarolinaBlood704]

That's been America since Columbine.

[@luciac9123]

Absolutely tragic. My is so heavy for each of these families! Somehow I had a feeling the jury would cave. SHAME ON THEM!!

[@wgcds7jyg897]

The jury didn’t cave. It’s not like it acquitted him.

[@RB01.10]

@@wgcds7jyg897 My thoughts exactly. I really don’t understand how people think him going to prison forever is some sort of luxury (it’s not). IMO spending the rest of your life in a cell for 20 hours a day is worse than death (the quick and easy way out). Also, even if he got the death penalty there’d likely be years of endless appeals and he wouldn’t get executed for possibly another 20-30 years.

[@MC-vh7go]

It’s been over four years and these wonderful people’s hearts are so broken that they will never heal. “Time heals all wounds”, I don’t think it does. The cold truth is that time will never heal their broken hearts and souls. That’s just not how it works when your child is murdered. It is devastating that they did not get the justice they needed. May they find some refuge from their heartbreak in the memories of their darlings. May they find a reason to smile again. God Bless them all.

[@missyette]

This is so true, I HATE the saying time will heal all wounds because it's bs and a coverup and just makes things worst for people actually suffering. My mother was killed when I was 5 and it's NEVER left my life and sure as hell didn't heal as I was passed around the province from home to home and I'm not the only one. There are so many people suffering out there that this saying needs to stop so that something might change

[@raystrong2823]

​@@missyette Turn to the inner person within you for the hurts and anger you feel in life's journey. JESUS: get him.

[@TennesseeYaya]

This verdict is an embarrassing travesty.

[@RB01.10]

Really?! I would save a “travesty” for the OJ case or Emmitt Till’s killers Because in both those cases the killers walked free and didn’t get punished

[@tyiababi]

The system failed these families. He shouldn't have gotten life in prison. Why does he get to live on when 17 INNOCENT PEOPLE can't. Now these families can't get justice and the other victims have ptsd. This is horrible.

[@SpaceEag11]

Well if he was infact was given death, he'd still not be killed right way. It will drag on for years and years. By the time his turn comes up, this whole thing will be old news. I get what you're saying but he still needs to spend the next 60 years without ever coming out , now that's a better punishment, death is easy way out.

[@RB01.10]

It’s not the first time. James Holmes killed 12 people in Colorado but also got life without parole. Same with Terry Nichols, helped kill 160+ in Oklahoma City but in both cases the jury deadlocked on the death penalty. Bottom line is the death penalty is much more expensive than life without parole and it likely doesn’t even get carried out for many years And saying it’s not justice is simply not true. He’s going to prison for the rest of his life.

[@jessamyers8761]

The jury gave more sympathy to the shooter than the innocent victims.

[@heathervincent3883]

Yea they did it made me sick 🤢 an dugusting 😢 the death penalty should have been given

[@RB01.10]

Even if he got on death row, he’d live another 10-20 or more years due to the endless appeals. Not to mention it’s actually a *lot* more expensive to house death row inmates than those serving life

[@aileenwagner2576]

Yep

[@danielisfearless288]

Cruze fully planned the whole thing he was not mental when he pulled the fire alarm so students were out in the open.

[@LoveYourself-1970]

These family are living a nightmare. My heart brakes for them😭

[@audramuth4147]

Helena’s family spoke the raw truth. Now no one will want to be teachers anymore because they now know that nothing will be done to protect them . This will affect things forever. I hope something changes . I don’t know how or what but I hope something changes

[@susanborkenhagen58]

Overworked and underpaid was the main complaint by teachers until about 15 years ago.

[@kevaflores1476]

My heart breaks for these families! I am keeping you in my prayers and as only one person I join your fight in trying to make the needed changes this country absolutely needs! There are so many in this country on your side that will fight with you! I hope that can bring you a small amount of Hope and comfort!

[@ameliadiangelo2268]

I feel so sorry for these families and can’t imagine the pain and anger they must feel..they’ve spent months sitting through a trial reliving and hearing how their loved ones where viciously murdered thinking they would finally get to grieve and get justice.

[@RB01.10]

They did get justice, the killer will be in prison for the rest of his life. Saying there wasn’t justice because he didn’t get the death penalty is both hyperbole and flat out wrong . Also, even if he got the death penalty he’d be on for years with endless appeals and hearings. Not to mention it’s a lot more expensive as well because of that

[@zoey8426]

Lin Chen should have gotten a standing ovation for that speech!!!!👏👏👏 That murderer should get no less than what his victims got. Don't let ANYONE ever put that fire out in you girl, you are your cousins voice, your aunts voice. 🙌 And the 2 idiot press guys standing there looking "duh" when she walks past, lol idiots😰

[@magpie3924]

Gina .... So innocent and so beautiful... My heart bleeds for her

[@joealtieri758]

To the parkland 17 so sorry my heart bleeds 😢

[@91932jk]

all these parents need to do is offer up a years worth of monthly packages and some quarterly special purchases and they'll get their justice real quick

[@91932jk]

@E Boston neither did Jeffrey Dahmer but sometime the wrong door does end up being unlocked......by mistake of course

[@beautifulbutterfly3939]

@@91932jk Exactly just like Jeffrey Epstein also.

[@shawnclifton7196]

Comments like yours are so stupid this ain’t the Enterprise where everyone’s behind a force field and all the guards are honorable

[@animallover7850]

Prison is not much more than a resort you can’t leave.

[@joeygirl_]

Can the judge not over rule the suggested verdict and issue the death penalty?

[@whatiever282]

oh my god, these parents, cousins, family words are heart breaking, well spoken, a change is needed, I would have had more respect for the jurors if they came back and said, we cant agree on death penalty and some cant agree to life WP, mistrial and do it again

[@gladyskravitz3715]

....and they'll provide him protection in prison... There is no justice in this sentence. The families have my utmost sympathy & I pray for peace for them.

[@RB01.10]

You’re mistaking vengeance for justice. No justice would be him walking free like OJ or the guys who killed Emmitt Till. You should know it actually costs more money to have the death penalty, and that it doesn’t get administered for years with endless appeals. But for LWOP here, there is no other option. It can’t be appealed. Most other developed countries don’t even have the death penalty anymore.

[@MartaIreneSeguinotTorres]

They must have at least 5 jurors against designated and not one...this law needs to change, not just one juror!!!!!!

[@SamaraSmile]

Agree

[@danielisfearless288]

agree

[@Pink7omy]

Florida system messed up.

[@kellyheath9910]

It was 9 for and 3 against

[@tim81strachan]

@@kellyheath9910 I thought it was 10 to 1

[@smartcookie4507]

that's why this continues to happen!!! THERE IS NO JUSTICE WHATSOEVER IN THIS CASE!!!!

[@RB01.10]

You and the families didn’t get revenge and vengeance. I think you’re mistaking justice for them. You know who truly didn’t get justice? Emmitt Till, as well as Ron Goldman and Nicole Simpson. In both cases the guilty walked free and no one got punished.

[@lobaybe5]

I’ve watched this case everyday and my heart absolutely breaks for these parents and wives 😢 I’m so shocked 😢 it’s not far at all 💔🥺

[@matthews8799]

Fair*

[@iiLoveAutumn]

fair*

[@RB01.10]

Hell outta here. It’s not like he got acquitted like OJ or the guys who killed Emmitt Till

[@1badjane493]

I had a tuff upbringing. My Dad drank. He was career Army , a gun collector and competitor. Even taught his children how to shoot. Not once has the thought of killing him or anyone else ever enter my mind !!! What drives a person to carry out such an act of hatred is way beyond my comprehension......🤔🤔🤔

[@marionwolter7740]

Unendlich traurig.Viel Kraft für die kommende Zeit. Unser Mitgefühl an alle Familien.

[@nlsnat8573]

When justice is not achieved, the very system that has sought to protect us, has failed us. It is failing us right now.

[@AlisonsArt]

He's been sentenced to a long painful death, far worse than what the state would provide. Those three people will have something more to think about. Everyone else continues to live in pain until then. and yes, that one juror was not qualified to serve. Defense flipped off the judge in court? Ethics a bit shaky maybe.

[@W47689]

He's alive and they're dead there is no justice you fool you don't think this monster accepted to go to prison or die from lethal injection? What matters is that the family got there justice but no we failed at that. No one got justice.

[@allencolvin4320]

My prayers for these families. I cannot begin to imagine the tragedy of the injustice, and the incompetence of the judge.

[@RB01.10]

“Injustice” is a strong word here. So hyperbolic I’d reserve that word for if he walked free. A true injustice was Emmitt Till’s killers walking free, same with OJ being free. Not the case here.

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

What incompetence of the judge?

[@stephenmason1245]

Heart wrenching.. love to all those families.

[@Breezy-bv9te]

Both my parents came from Foster Care taken out of severely abusive homes where there was alcohol abuse, sexual abuse and very harsh physical abuse. Both went to several Foster Homes that were not that much better, no physical abuse but plenty of mental and some sexual abuse. My mom became a Social Worker for abused children and my dad became a NYC Police Officer then Detective and very proudly protected the Communities he worked in. Not once did they EVER consider hurting others because they had it rough and they DID have a rough upbringing. They still struggle with their past every day, but they successfully raised 4 children with tender love and care and never harmed us. How can someone that has been abused growing up and want to bring that pain to others? I don't understand it and I don't sympathize with it. There was so much help Nikolas received and counselors at school to help him. If he had the need to hurt people, he could have found someone to help him with that issue.

[@jackiemoon4587]

I love stories like your parents. It's so inspiring. Nikolas though was adopted into a safe caring home at birth. He had some difficulties growing up due to antisocial personality disorder and he was exposed to drugs and alcohol in the womb of his birth parents but many many babies are born to drug addicted mothers and don't become killers. He definitely should have been institutionalised in his teens and never never had access to a gun.

[@JohnFKennedy420]

If the juror was against the death penalty and that’s why they voted against it in this case, which seems to be what happened, that juror should have excused him/herself from the very beginning. Unbelievable

[@TheMinimalistTherapist]

Scott Beagels parents are so eloquent and wise and balanced. She understands the difference between reaction and response and legality and morality.

[@iiLoveAutumn]

It's "Beigel", brough😅... "Beagel" is a dog breed😅... Dood 😶, I mean, like, seriously? Beagle?

[@megannoe2057]

@@iiLoveAutumn Says the person misusing Brough on so many levels. Like , seriously dude?

[@iiLoveAutumn]

@@megannoe2057 I write it the exact same way they pronounce it.

[@provishky]

Weak people make life hell for everyone else.

[@lopez2011ism]

I hope they re-do this sentence 11-1 were for death and the hold out admitted in the room she didn't agree with capital punishment this was heard by more than one juror in the room so everyone else had to change their mind because if one person ...she lied to get chosen on the jury because that question is asked on the questionnaire that they all had to fill out "could they issue a sentence of capital punishment" was asked ! These kids and parents deserve way more and now there is a hearing scheduled for this afternoon because of all of this also the fact that juror was also threatening others in the room

[@ladyhawk9032]

I agree. However, I believe it was 3 jurors, not just 1 according to the jury foreman. The law needs to be reversed where it doesn't have to be a unanimous, but a majority vote. If it had been the majority vote, he would have been given the death penalty.

[@RB01.10]

@@ladyhawk9032 No, for something as final as death it must remain unanimous. Just like in a regular verdict.

[@debracowan2346]

Couldn’t the decision be overturned if it is found that jurors were threatened during deliberations?

[@DerrickDBurns]

Unfortunately no. They should have raised the issue then. There is absolutely no way he can be resentenced to death.

[@blinkbunny9781]

They did those parents and families so wrong. Shame on the jury. Should have have those parents what they wanted. Let's hope for prison justice

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

The defense team (especially that bitch that felt it was appropriate to flip people off, and joke with the murdering monster) are just as bad as the jury.

[@RB01.10]

You and the families wanted revenge which isn’t justice. People need to realize that most developed countries don’t have the death penalty. May I also add that it doesn’t even get administered for years, and has endless appeals. Not to mention it’s much more expensive.

[@ashd-h4911]

I'd love to know what the, "mitigating circumstances that outweigh the sentence of death", were.

[@chrisnewby5713]

Sadly this won’t be the last time this happens

[@amytaylor3956]

Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a wonderful day. God bless you!!❤️❤️

[@edmundcowan9131]

This decision is outrageous. Some fool will let this monster live and get out of jail in some future.

[@MsGilly]

Nah. Someone will get him in gen pop.

[@IditaBugger]

He got life WITHOUT the possibility of parole. He isn't getting out.

[@kevinkerlin5603]

True even with death penalties for some convictions

[@God-of-all-monsters]

@E Boston you obviously dont know how sentences work . If you get life without parole your not getting out simple and fact .

[@MsGilly]

@@God-of-all-monsters I think @E Boston is referring to jail vs. prison.

[@julsjewels3185]

We needed to send a message to all the future monsters. This jury failed these families in justice for their loved ones.

[@Martin-sp4zf]

A message was sent ie if you're young and wish to kill innocent people, the worst that will happen is protection in prison, exercise, letters and three meals a day for the rest of your life. A disgraceful outcome to the trial.

[@RB01.10]

@@Martin-sp4zf Incorrect Fact is the death penalty doesn’t actually stop or prevent future crime.

[@raystrong2823]

​@@Martin-sp4zf Sorry Martin. The death penalty has been around for more than century. And it hasn't stopped one person from murdering another. NOT A ONE! And I believe in the death penalty. But I know, it's not a deterrent. It's reality is it's a tool to despell the anger, hurt (hopefully) within those loved one's left behind. These families will have to find within themselves the "peace that passes all understanding" to move past the anger, hurt and disappointment they feel fm the justice system. The thirst for revenge is deep within all that spoke in this video. They're not satisfied with life in prison with no parole possibility. They want blood for blood. Sigh...and I don't try blame them one bit. But this is the system we all live under. Well families join the "club" of Americans who ALSO have been cheated by the Justice System well over a century.

[@M14KNM]

@@RB01.10 Incorrect. Fact is sometimes it's about getting even instead of stopping anything. Commies like you wouldnt understand.

[@bryanb810]

​@@RB01.10maybe. The law is the law. It is called JUSTICE. The jury failed these victims by sentencing this monster to life instead of death.

[@ChezFeroce]

No words. Just tears.

[@cazh3768]

The outcome sends a dangerous message, Unbelievable

[@RB01.10]

That’s incorrect. It’s been shown for a while that the death penalty is ineffective at deterring crime, hell states without it don’t have less crime than those with it

[@RB01.10]

That’s total nonsense and a myth. Fact is having the death penalty doesn’t deter people from committing crimes

[@bryanb810]

​@@RB01.10it is called JUSTICE. Doesn't matter if it deters crime or not. Don't like capital punishment? Call your elected officials to get it abolished.

[@RB01.10]

@@bryanb810 Death penalty is bad because too many people were sentenced to death only later to be found to be innocent. Not to mention wrongful convictions have happened due to things such as lying witnesses, police misconduct etc Death penalty also unequally is applied to people of color and those with not much money. It is also a *lot* more expensive to have the death penalty because of the appeals and higher costs of their defense.

[@mysadlife1771]

I was angry as heck yesterday, now I just pray 🙏 to God that these 17 angels that were taken away are in heaven far from evil.

[@kellyheath9910]

My heart ached all day today 💔 love from Kelly wales UK

[@ZZUtopia]

How does that juror sleep at night? Disgusting!

[@stewiegriffinfan18]

By closing their eyes and turning off the light

[@kellyheath9910]

It was 3

[@iiLoveAutumn]

@@stewiegriffinfan18 DAAAAYYYYHM (hood style) Savage

[@stewiegriffinfan18]

@@iiLoveAutumn I replied to a dumb question with a dumb answer. This shows how screwed up society is

[@047Kenny]

@@kellyheath9910 I would bet my life it was all women.

[@TheShellybaybee]

Wow sending positive vibes to everyone. Touching to hear about the young lady who birthday was on 02/14

[@mavisjones9391]

It’s so crazy how different ppl think and how some jury’s can come bk with certain verdicts. I want to hear from each and every jury and why they came to their decision. I feel for all the families may the lord Jesus Christ heal them and bring them some peace. God bless you all🙏🏼🙏🏼❣️❣️❣️

[@Ariel-iu7js]

If we were all judged accordingly we all deserve death , except for the Mercy + grace of God. People going to hell does not bring justice. But God will judge all accordingly.

[@raystrong2823]

What these families seek is revenge not justice. According to our laws in this justice system? Whatever verdict was given is the verdict one must live with. He was given life in prison w/o parole. "THAT" was the verdict..."that" is justice. Injustice would have been anything less than what was given (20 yrs or not guilty). What they all need is "the peace that passes all understanding" = JESUS.

[@chrisleclerc5254]

My heart melts for this, and all of the bereaved parents. This father, so sad inside, kept his dignified stance in order to say what was most important. He needed to remind us that his beautiful, innocent daughter deserved better. The killer made planned and played out decisions that led to her death and all the others. And, I don't agree that he had a tough start. He was one of the lucky ones who was adopted by an over-the-top loving mom and dad. Even if (not proven) he had a rough start in the womb, it wasn't enough to show in the tests of the womb itself. But say, just say, even if the birth process wasn't optimal, that boy had every single advantage in life. More than I ever dreamed of having. He WANTED to be a villain. He CHOSE that path. It is time for our justice system to take a turn back for the better. Stop making excuses for bad behavior. And, PLEASE stop caring more about your career (defense) than you do about your culture and your society. Hope you don't have to send your kids off to school.

[@AyeshaRazi]

Justice was not served…😔

[@ironblast5]

How was the defense attorney not held in contempt

[@thememe986]

What did they do that qualifies as contempt? You know an attorney has a duty to defend their client to the best of their abilities regardless of their personal feelings

[@lauraindira8421]

@@thememe986 there were plenty of things the defense did that warranted contempt.The judge was close to it a few times. She actually said that never in her career has she been as disrespected by the defense as she has in this case. It wasn’t because they were defending their client which is their job it was because of other things. You can check it out on KZbin

[@francinelee4129]

I do believe the juror was probably anti death penalty

[@bryanb810]

I am sure they were asked that in the jury selection process. "Are you against the death penalty?" If those jurors said no, they committed perjury.

[@ladyc6374]

This is so incredibly sad. God bless these parents.. may god have mercy on us and our children.

[@RB01.10]

I love how Florida claims they’re pro life yet is all for the death penalty. Hypocrisy They’re acting like he’s walking free like Emmitt Till’s killers or OJ. Those families got it far worse

[@rd8370]

You don’t seem to know the difference between the innocent and the guilty.

[@RB01.10]

@@rd8370 When you say you’re “pro life” then that should mean that *all* life, no matter what is precious. As soon as you say “I’m pro life but am all for the death penalty” it’s both hypocritical and counter intuitive like trying to have your cake and eat it too

[@bryanb810]

​@@RB01.10not hypocritical. One is innocent and defenseless and the other is guilty and a monster. Seems like you don't acknowledge the difference.

[@RB01.10]

@@bryanb810A human life is a human life.

[@junetomlin1]

THAT JUROR WHO PREVENTED JUSTICE SHOULD BE CALLED OUT AMD SHAMED.

[@jdlives8992]

Dang that’s tragic. I have or can’t even fathom what pain they must feel. Having a kid is the most amazing thing ever. To have it taken by evil is the worst ever. And I have no idea what that must feel like.

[@ericduggan1520]

I’m from Texas. If this was tried in Texas it would’ve been a death sentence. 💯

[@magpie3924]

Let's just hope to hear how NC fellow inmates will serve justice!

[@karl.weaver]

YES!

[@danam.8961]

Prove perjury and get the ruling thrown out!!

[@RB01.10]

Case is closed

[@kayjhoselin]

absolutely heartbreaking!!!!!!!!

[@amytaylor3956]

Hello there 👋👋,how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a wonderful day. God bless you!!!❤️❤️

[@michael567jober]

my thing about life in prison is the slight possibility of breaking out. sure it’s very rare and almost impossible however it’s still possible. look at the casey white story. dude was able to convince a correction officer to risk it all to be with him. dude wasn’t even good looking so if he can do it others can and the scariest part is they may kill again given the chance. i believe in an eye for an eye

[@NaveDelAmor]

Heartless, heinous acts being excused. Maybe he'll suffer more at the hands of peers.

[@RB01.10]

Giving him life without parole is excusing him ? Wrong

[@heathersmith9501]

I love that their voices are heard. Don't ever stop

[@diazcamposalizadaniela4636]

Luke deserved to live, Martin deserved to live, Gina deserved to live, Alex deserved to live, Alaina deserved to live, Alyssa deserved to live, Carmen deserved to live, Helena deserved to live, Nick deserved to live, Chris deserved to live, Aaron deserved to live, Scott deserved to live, Meadow deserved to live, Cara deserved to live, Joaquín deserved to live, Jaime deserved to live, Peter deserved to live 💔

[@jeremysanders9336]

God disagrees lol

[@alexisb9257]

@@jeremysanders9336 what is the point of commenting that?

[@bryanb810]

​@@jeremysanders9336and Nikolas Cruz DOES NOT deserve to live

[@bryanb810]

And Nikolas Cruz DOES NOT deserve to live

[@anocri]

If you can't put 1 to death for killing 17? Why do these courts exist? This case was ripe for imposing death penalty, but the justice system has got no balls to put this monster to death and set an example to other would-be-monsters.

[@maxsmith695]

Freedom. I agree with DP verdict on this case.

[@rudolfschnurrer543]

The disgraceful verdict clearly shows how the system fools the victims and the bereaved!!!

[@RB01.10]

Wrong use of words. This guy will be in a cell for 20 hours a day, as compared to death which is the easy way out. You wanna talk about disgraceful verdicts? How about the Emmitt Till case when his killers walked free? Or OJ walking free as well.

[@angelamarie4137]

I think they later said that 11 jurors wanted the death penalty and one refused. That's such complete BS. It's the law, but it's still BS.

[@karamartinez8426]

My heart breaks for the families. Justice have failed for the families .my thoughts are prayers are with families. 😥💔💔🙏🙏

[@RB01.10]

Tough . You and the families didn’t get revenge and vengeance. It’s over now, don’t fill hearts with hate and anger. It does no one any good Justice was served. Spending 20 hours a day for the rest of your life in a cell is far worse than death.

[@Sue-qp6dx]

How that one juror can live peacefully with the decision they've made is beyond me because I know I couldn't!

[@RB01.10]

If he got acquitted and walked free you’d have a point but that’s not the case

[@raystrong2823]

Easily. He/she voted her conscious not what the "rabble rousing" crowd wanted. So that juror has a conscious, just didn't give these people the decision they wanted. Life's a kicker (unfair in so many ways), especially when you least expect it.

[@M14KNM]

The jurors who decided to miscarry justice have names and addresses. Time for this info to go public.

[@solsticebaby]

​@@M14KNMYou do that and that's the end of the jury system. And really it's already an issue. The George Floyd jury for example. There was no way any of those cops were getting anything other than guilty. Not in that area. Too much public attention on the matter. We cannot react like that.

[@M14KNM]

@@solsticebaby We are no longer judged by our peers and the system is a joke anyway so who cares? Good it needs to go.

[@spookitty63]

When is society going to stop protecting the criminals and start standing up for the victims!! Victims need to have rights.

[@heathervincent3883]

I agree💯💯💯💯 it’s dugusting an sick 🤢 my heart breaks I’m a mom an I can’t even imagine my heart is with the families