FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer, who presided over the sentencing trial for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz, is resigning at the end of next month.
Scherer, 46, submitted her resignation letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, offering no explanation for her decision to step down from the bench.
"Judge Scherer approached me last year to advise she would soon be leaving the bench," Chief Judge Jack Tuter of Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit told Court TV. "During her service, Judge Scherer handled one of the most challenging cases in Broward County's history. She did so in a professional and dignified manner. On behalf of the 17th Circuit, we wish Judge Scherer good health and prosperity in her future endeavors."
Scherer's resignation comes after the Florida Supreme Court removed her from another death penalty murder case. Justices agreed she showed unfair sympathy for prosecutors in the Parkland school shooting trial.
"Immediately after sentencing Cruz, Judge Scherer left the bench and, while still in her judicial robe, exchanged hugs with the victims' families and members of the prosecution team," the justices said in their unanimous decision.
During the Parkland trial, Cruz's defense attorneys asked for her to step down from the case, saying she was biased against their client. However, Scherer rejected the motion, calling it legally insufficient.
Frequent moments of the trial contained contentious exchanges between the judge and defense attorneys.
This included Scherer chastising Cruz's lead defense attorney Melisa McNeill for what she called unprofessionalism.
Read Scherer's resignation letter below:
The judge's resignation takes effect June 30.
Scherer, who earned her bachelor's degree at Florida State University and her law degree at the University of Miami, was appointed to the circuit court bench in 2012 by then-Gov. Rick Scott, replacing retired Judge David Krathen. She was 36 at the time.
Before becoming a judge, Scherer previously worked as an assistant state attorney in Broward County under Mike Satz, who was lead prosecutor in the Parkland trial.
Her father preceded her in fame. Noted Republican lawyer Bill Scherer, who is a founding partner at Fort Lauderdale-based Conrad & Scherer, represented former President George W. Bush in the Broward County recount during the 2000 presidential election.
