The gunman in the Parkland, Florida, school massacre will be sentenced to life without parole for the 2018 murder of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, after the jury said Thursday that it could not unanimously agree that he should be executed.
The jury's recommendation came after seven hours of deliberationsover two days, ending a three-month trial that included graphic videos, photos and testimony from the massacre and its aftermath, heart-wrenching testimony from victims' family members and a tour of the still blood-spattered building.
Under Florida law, a death sentence requires a unanimous vote on at least one count.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer will formally issue the life sentences Nov. 1.
The gunman, his hair unkempt, largely sat hunched over and stared at the table as the jury's recommendations were read. Rumblings grew from the family section — packed with about three dozen parents, spouses and other relatives of the victims — as life sentences were announced. Many shook their heads, looked angry or covered their eyes.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press.
