FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - The life or death trial of the Parkland shooter continues, as day nine of the trial began around 10 a.m., Monday.
The victims’ families spoke out about the losses they have suffered, including 17-year-old Joaquin Oliver’s family.
“They say he’s empathy, loving soul, passion, friendship, the meaning of love, energy, contagious smile,” said Oliver’s mother, Patricia. “He valued of everything, everyone, believed in himself. He stood up for what is right, was genuine to himself and appreciated orders. Our lives have been shattered and changed forever.”
It did appear that when Patricia began speaking, Nikolas Cruz appeared to be listening, looking straight ahead, as he usually has had his head down, scribbling on paper or talking to his lawyer.
“I miss my best friend, and the way he made me feel whole,” said Oliver’s girlfriend, Victoria Gonzalez. “I missed the laughter from his lips and the glimmer in his eyes.”
Multiple medical examiners described in great detail the devastating injuries that the victims suffered, as their families looked on.
Medical examiner Dr. Terrill Tops described in horrifying detail what happened to Oliver and how he put up his hand in an attempt to shield himself. It appeared that he was shot through his hand and the bullet then hit his head, which caused a massive and devastating wound.
“He was like, in this orientation, trying to protect himself from being harmed,” said Dr. Tops. “The bullet had so much force, that it basically caused an explosion inside of the skull.”
Dr. Tops described Oliver’s wounds as a lead storm.
“Mr. Oliver’s head was only kept together by his scalp and forehead,” said Dr. Tops.
His mother had to leave the courtroom after hearing the details of her son’s injuries.
Gena and Tom Hoyer listened as the medical examiner detailed how a single bullet entered their 15-year-old son Luke Hoyer’s jaw, exited, then reentered through his neck, filling his chest with blood and squeezing his lung.
“That injury that you see where it went from under the left, under the jawline of Mr. Hoyer’s neck, went under the surface of his skin, exited, reentered, crossed mid-line, injured the blood vessels involved in the right side of his neck,” said Tops.
Coach Aaron Feis was struck with bullets that shattered his ribs, causing internal bleeding that compressed his lungs.
“I spoke with Scott almost everyday,” said Scott Beigel’s mother, Linda Beigel Schuman. “I miss my son. I will miss my son tomorrow. I will miss my son for the rest of my life. I am still trying to learn to live with this everyday and it’s not getting any easier. I will never get over it, I will never get past it. My life will never, ever be the same.”
“There will be no more new memories,” said Beigel’s father, Michael Schuman. “I will never go to another ball game with Scott. I will never help him set up another home. I will never get one of those goofy cards for my birthday, or one of those sarcastic phone calls. I will never pick up [audible] together. There will be no more new memories.”
“I am heartbroken that I won’t be able to watch her become the amazing young woman she was turning into, but in my grief, I know that Alaina is with our heavenly Father right now, and I know that I will see her again,” said Alaina Petty’s mother, Kelly Petty.
“She never got a chance to even truly live,” said Petty’s sister, Meghan Petty. “She never got her braces off. She never had her first kiss. It causes me pain to know that she never went on a first date or felt the nerves and excitement associating with that uncharted territory. I am still holding out the hope that this is all a nightmare or some horrible joke that I’ll wake up and she’s back in our arms safe and sound, and this will all fade away.”
Petty’s sister said that what’s also painful is that her memories of her younger sister are starting to become fuzzier over time.
On Monday, Cruz’ former JROTC teacher John Navarra spoke about Cruz’s time in the program.
“Nikolas Cruz earned the sharp shooter badge,” said Navarra.
Since the trial began victims, police officers and medical examiners have taken the stand to show the jury that Cruz deserves the death penalty.
Days ago, prosecutors showed video of Cruz calmly walking into a Subway buying a drink shortly after the massacre.
A detective also took the stand to talk about all the information they were able to get from the confessed killer’s cellphone, which included the bell schedule at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The state hopes this information will show some level of planning on the shooter’s part.
For the jury to sentence him to death, prosecutors must show what’s called aggravating factors. For example, the murders were cold, calculating and premeditated. On the other hand, the defense would like him to be sentenced to life in prison.
The prosecution is also expected to travel to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to walk the path that the shooter took on Feb. 14, 2018.
Prosecutors anticipate closing their case later this week.
The shooter has been found guilty of killing 17 and injuring 17 others.
More of the families of the victims are expected to speak in court Tuesday.
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