Andrew Medina, the former watchman criticized for his failure to call for a “code red” when Nikolas Cruz arrived on the campus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last year, was grilled for hours Monday by attorneys for the father of one of the victims of the massacre.
Medina was joined by former Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Scot Peterson, the school resource officer who resigned under pressure after officials berated him for failing to engage Cruz once the shooting began.
Medina and Cruz are among the people sued by Andrew Pollack, whose daughter, Meadow, was killed on the third floor of the 1200 building at Stoneman Douglas on Feb. 14, 2018.
As part of that lawsuit, attorneys are entitled to question each defendant and other witnesses — Peterson is scheduled to be questioned Tuesday. While most interviews, formally called depositions, are taking place in law offices, Peterson and Medina are being questioned in the courthouse as a security precaution.
The long awaited confrontations put Medina and Pollack in the same room for the first time since earlier this month, when Pollack approached Medina at a youth baseball game in Parkland. Pollack said he is dedicated to holding Medina, Peterson and others accountable for failing to stop Cruz before he began killing people.
Medina said Pollack put him in fear for his safety.
Late last year, Peterson also complained that some of Pollack’s online statements could be perceived as threats.
Broward Circuit Judge Patti Englander Henning ordered attorneys to hold depositions for Medina and Peterson in the courthouse, with deputies present. Pollack was allowed to attend.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
rolmeda@SunSentinel.com, 954-356-4457, Twitter @SSCourts and @rolmeda