FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz appeared in court Tuesday morning during a status hearing.
The hearing came nearly a week after he pleaded guilty to murdering 17 people and attempting to kill 17 others in the Valentine's Day 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Cruz confessed to the crimes in open court and apologized to family members of his victims.
By pleading guilty, Cruz must now await his fate as a jury will be asked to decide whether he should be executed for his crimes or sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Defense attorneys have filed a series of motions to suppress evidence in the upcoming penalty phase, including personal items found in a Pompano Beach home, among them an assault rifle purchased by Cruz.
Attorneys for both sides will reconvene with Judge Elizabeth Scherer next week to discuss the matter.
