Florida Supreme Court Issues PUBLIC Reprimand To Parkland Shooter's Trial Judge

The unanimous decision by the state's highest court follows the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which found that Judge Scherer had "engaged in inappropriate behavior."

The commission specifically criticized Judge Scherer for stepping down from the bench and embracing several prosecutors shortly after sentencing Cruz to life in prison. In her defense, Judge Scherer explained to the state commission, responsible for investigating allegations of judicial misconduct, that she had also offered hugs to Cruz's defense lawyers.

"In limited instances during this unique and protracted case, Judge Scherer allowed her emotions to cloud her judgment," stated the 15-member commission in their report filed on June 2.

Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty to the murder of 17 individuals at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14, 2018, marking one of the deadliest mass school shootings in U.S. history.

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July 26, 2023

Throughout the six-month penalty trial, which aimed to determine whether Cruz would receive the death penalty, Judge Scherer frequently clashed with defense lawyers on live television. However, as the jury did not reach a unanimous decision for the death penalty, Judge Scherer had no choice but to sentence Cruz to life in prison in November.

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The commission also found that Judge Scherer had "unduly chastised" members of the defense team and falsely accused one of Cruz's attorneys of "threatening her children."

"[Scherer] acknowledges that her conduct fell below the standard expected of a trial judge and had the potential to undermine the perception of the judiciary and our justice system in ways that are not easily rectified," the commission stated.

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Judge Elizabeth Scherer, a 46-year-old former Broward County circuit judge who retired last month, was randomly assigned to Cruz's case, which was her first death penalty matter. As a result of her conduct during the Cruz trial, Judge Scherer was disqualified from a death-row inmate's case in April at the request of the defense attorney.