Parkland school shooting verdict: Count 8 in penalty phase is Helena Ramsay

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer announced on Oct. 13 that a divided jury recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole as punishment for the Parkland school shooter on count eight of first-degree murder.

Count eight of 17 in the penalty phase is for the murder of Helena Ramsay who Nikolas Cruz killed on Feb. 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, according to Scherer.

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Helena, 17, a junior, was in classroom 1214 when she was shot four times and died of her wounds, according to Chief Assistant State Attorney Mike Satz. She dreamed of studying abroad, traveling the world, and working for the United Nations.

Dr. Marlon Osbourne, who performed the autopsy, said during his testimony in court on July 26, that Helena suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

Interactive graphic: Understanding the choices jurors made on the verdict form

Helena’s mother and cousins react to the verdict

Testimony in court

Helena’s mother, Anne Ramsay, reads her victim impact statement

Interactive graphic on the penalty phase


About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.