Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old accused of shooting dead 17 people at his former high school and injuring more, has now been indicted on 17 counts of premeditated murder and another 17 counts of attempted murder.
His public defender has informed the Broward County Grand Jury that Cruz is willing to enter a guilty plea if prosecutors choose not to push for the death penalty, which is still used in Florida. State authorities have not yet revealed if the prosecution will push for capital punishment.
Cruz was detained on February 14, shortly after blending in with fleeing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students and leaving the scene of the crime. He has been held without the possibility of posting bail since.
He has been held separately from other inmates at the Broward County jail due to the high-profile nature of his case. Notes from guards describe his behaviour behind bars as largely calm and cooperative, with somewhat disturbed sleep.
A note from February 24 states the inmate “turns in bunk, does not sleep, stares at wall in deep thought, eyes closed, appears to be resting, not asleep.”
