FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The sentencing trial for the Parkland gunman began Wednesday with attorney arguments concerning Tuesday's mass shooting at a school in Texas that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers.
The lead defense attorney, Melisa McNeill, argued that the recent shooting in Texas could interfere with the jury's ability to remain fair and impartial during the penalty phase.
"We lost 19 children and two teachers," McNeill said referring to Tuesday's shooting. "We have to somehow find a way to address this. There's no way that these jurors have not been impacted."
However, prosecutors said there was already an agreement about the questions they could ask potential jurors regarding their ability to remain unbiased in a case that involves children of gun violence.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Parkland shooting
Judge Elizabeth Scherer decided that general questions could be asked related to school shootings if attorneys avoid specific questions related to the Texas shooting.
Tom Hoyer, who lost his son, Luke, in the Parkland shooting, attended Wednesday's hearing and offered his thoughts on the tragedy in Texas.
"I'm in physical pain for what they're going through," Hoyer said. "There are no words. … I'm so sorry it happened to them."
He reflected on knowing that the families of the victims in Texas face an insurmountable pain, which he continues to endure four years later.
"I know what the families are going through. I know what the families had to endure sitting in a room waiting to hear when their child's laying in a school on the floor," Hoyer said. "It's heartbreaking, just heartbreaking."
The second phase of jury selection continued Wednesday morning as a group of about a dozen prospective jurors were questioned about their opinion of the death penalty.
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The jury will decide if Nikolas Cruz should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole.
Cruz pleaded guiltylast year to the 17 murders at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018.
Testimony is scheduled to start June 27 and possibly last through the end of October.
