Florida judge was assigned to school shooter case at random

By TERRY SPENCER
Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The judge presiding over Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz’s death penalty trial was assigned the case despite never having overseen a major trial. Judge Elizabeth Scherer was assigned randomly by computer. That’s the system used in Broward County and throughout much of Florida. Her lack of experience will be scrutinized throughout the upcoming trial, which will determine if the 23-year-old Cruz is sentenced to death or life without parole. He pleaded guilty in October to murdering 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Jury selection is underway, with opening statements scheduled for next month.