Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz made three video recordings of himself on his cellphone around the time of his attack, according to a summary of evidence turned over to his lawyers by prosecutors in the case.
The defense this month demanded a portion of the evidence prosecutors intend to use when putting Cruz, 19, on trial for killing 17 people at the Parkland, Fla., school and injuring 17 others.
Monday afternoon, a summary of the evidence was posted to the clerk of courts’ website.
“Three video statements made by the defendant on his cellphone” were included, according to the summary. It’s not clear when Cruz recorded the videos. He was arrested more than an hour after the shooting stopped.
The Public Defender’s Office, which is representing Cruz, did not comment Monday.
In its initial demand for the evidence, defense lawyers noted that the information becomes public record when they receive it from prosecutors. They deliberately chose not to request the most sensitive information, including autopsy reports, crime scene photos, surveillance footage from inside the school and video from body cameras worn by emergency workers who responded to the scene.
Other evidence that was turned over or made available for the defense to review includes:
- The clothing, back pack and rifle case worn by Cruz.
- Cruz’s recorded confession.
- Cellphone records.
- Crime lab reports.
- Mental health records.
- School records.
- Internet search histories.
The evidence will not be released to the public immediately — clerk’s office employees are legally required to redact certain information, which could take several days.
Cruz’s lawyers have repeatedly offered to have him plead guilty in exchange for life in prison, arguing that it would spare the victims’ families the spectacle of a trial and lengthy automatic appeals.
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© 2018 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
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