PARKLAND, Fla. – Broward County Judge Elizabeth Scherer announced Thursday during a hearing that she expects the trial for Parkland school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz to be held in September.
She said she will be sending out orders in the coming weeks to set specific dates for pre-trial motions.
Cruz, 22, waived his appearance Thursday and his public defender said they have not been able to meet with Cruz in person for more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cruz has confessed to fatally shooting 17 students and staff members and injuring 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018.
He faces the death penalty if convicted.
His lawyers have said he would plead guilty in exchange for a life prison sentence -- something the prosecution has said they would not agree to.