Dr. Ilan Alhadeff shared an emotional testimony about his 14-year-old daughter Alyssa, who was among the Parkland shooting victims. Alhadeff's testimony marked the second day of the trial as families, one after another, took the witness stand to give statements about their loved ones who died at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018, per Associated Press.
The father said that Alyssa Alhadeff would be in her second year of college if she had not been murdered in the 2018 mass shooting. The father shared that his daughter would go on to be a professional soccer player, would get her law degree, and maybe become one of the most successful business negotiation lawyers that the world would see. Alyssa was supposed to get married, they will have their father-daughter dance, and she would have had a beautiful family with a beach house on the side. However, the father said all those plans ended with her daughter's murder.
The families of the 17 shooting victims took the stand on Tuesday, sharing how the murders have taken a toll on them.
No reaction from the shooter
The testimonies from the victim's family elicited no reaction from Nikolas Cruz, now 23, who pleaded guilty in October to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, while Cruz's lawyers are asking the jury for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
For the past two days of family statements, Cruz showed little emotion, even as several lawyers wiped away tears and Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer's voice broke when she gave directions. CNN reports that the confessed shooter stared ahead or looked down from the table where he sat.
The victim's impact statement gives families and friends a day in court, though the judge says those statements are not meant as aggravating factors.
Emotional family testimonies
As families testified, other family members of the victims were sobbing as they listened. Families stayed to lend support and exchange packets of tissues, shoulder rubs, and hugs. Some jurors wiped their tears away, but most sat stoically.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher also testified. Ivy Schamis recalled discussing the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany when swimmer Nick Dworet answered that Adolf Dassler founded the Adidas shoe company, adding that his brother founded Puma, the rival brand.
Then, they heard a gunshot in the hallway as Cruz fired his semi-automatic rifle through the glass on the classroom door. Seconds later, the barrel of AR-15 just ambushed their classroom. The students then scrambled to find safety behind furniture, noting that they did not panic and acted with bravery and maturity as they waited for rescue. CBS News reported three of her students were wounded and two killed.
For Cruz to have a life sentence, the jurors' vote must be unanimous. To arrive at their decision, jurors will hear prosecutors and defense attorneys argue aggravating factors and mitigating circumstances.
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