PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – A South Florida jury verdict, for one man, in his words, gave him his life back, though it took the collective breath away for dozens of others.
The jury found that former school resource officer Scot Peterson was not guilty of child neglect for failing to enter the 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Senior High while a shooter was in the process of killing those inside.
This was a first-of-its-kind case, and the verdict may make it the last.
Of the families living with profound loss, several were there in the gallery and shared heartfelt and heartbreaking reactions publicly in the moments that followed both the verdict and Peterson and his attorney celebrating the win in front of them.
The case highlighted essential questions brewing for the last five years in the layers of negligence involved in that mass murder.
The school resource officer did not go into the building, but Coach Chris Hixon did and died a hero that day.
Thomas Hixon is one of his sons and he joined “This Week in South Florida” host Glenna Milberg to discuss the verdict. Their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.