Sentencing the Parkland killer | Day 25

Here are updates from Day 25 in the sentencing trial of confessed Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, 23; a jury will decide if he will be executed or sentenced to life in prison without parole. He pleaded guilty in October to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the Feb. 14, 2018, massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

• Expert witness: Disturbing details of the shooter’s social media and online history were revealed in court as attorneys questioned a forensic psychologist who will be an expert witness in the trial that will determine whether the gunman deserves death or life in prison.
• Videos: Arguments Thursday will focus on whether the jury will see videos of the gunman killing many of the victims. Defense will argue that the videos are unnecessary because they are “cumulative.” Not every murder is captured on surveillance footage.
• Judge’s decision: Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer will ultimately decide what the jury will be allowed to hear and see. She will also be deciding whether and when the media will be able to see “sensitive” photos and videos during the trial. The evidence will be shown to jurors but not to the public in the courtroom, where media will be seated.
• Quote of the day: “It’s a very ugly picture, but that’s who this defendant is,” said prosecutor Jeff Marcus.
• Looking ahead: Opening statements and testimony are still scheduled to start July 18.

Go to SunSentinel.com/parkland-shooting for complete coverage of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy and ongoing coverage of the sentencing trial.