FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Attorneys for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz suddenly and surprisingly rested their case Wednesday, leading to a shouting match after the judge accused them of a lack of professionalism.Cruz's attorneys had told the judge and prosecutors they would be calling 80 witnesses but rested at the beginning of Wednesday's court session after calling only about 25.
There were 11 days of defense testimony overall, the last two spotlighting experts about how his birth mother's heavy use of alcohol during pregnancy might have affected his brain's development.The sudden announcement by lead attorney Melisa McNeill led to a heated exchange between her and Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer, who called the decision without warning to her or the prosecution "the most uncalled for, unprofessional way to try a case."The 12-member jury and 10 alternates were not present but were lining up outside the courtroom to enter.
The sudden announcement also meant that prosecutors were not ready to begin their rebuttal case.PREVIOUS: Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz's disturbing jailhouse drawings show images of mass murder, Satanic messagesLead prosecutor Mike Satz threw his hands up when Scherer asked if they could begin and, with a nervous laugh, said "no.""We were waiting for 40 more (defense) witnesses," Satz said.Scherer then accused Cruz's attorneys of being inconsiderate to all involved, but especially the jurors for wasting their trip to court."To have 22 people march into court and be waiting as if it is some kind of game.
I have never experienced such a level of unprofessionalism in my career," Scherer said, raising her voice.McNeill countered angrily, "You are insulting me on the record in front of my client,".