Nikolas Cruz gets life without parole, jury declines death penalty | USA TODAY

A jury has reached a verdict in the sentencing trial of Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland school shooter, who killed 17 people and injured 17 more in 2018.

RELATED: Parkland shooter defense scolded by judge https://bit.ly/3CyQv34

Victims’ family members seated in the gallery scowled, shook their heads or held them in their hands as circuit judge Elizabeth Scherer read the recommendation Thursday. The 12-person jury came to a decision after seven hours of deliberations over two days, ending a three-month trial where stories of the victims’ execution were retold in graphic detail.

Scherer will formally issue the life sentences Nov. 1. Relatives, along with the students and teachers Cruz wounded, will be given the opportunity to speak at the sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for Cruz. But under Florida law, a death sentence requires a unanimous vote on at least one count. While jurors found that the aggravating evidence was sufficient to warrant a possible death penalty for the gunman, at least one believed the mitigating factors outweighed aggravating ones.

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Pandemic, Massive Debt, and Gold

Other southern countries will also face the reemergence of the sovereign debt crisis. This time Greece’s debt-to-GDP starts at over 180 percent, compared with 146 percent in 2010; Spain at 95 percent vs. 60 percent; Portugal at 122 percent vs. 96 percent; and France 98 percent vs. 85 percent.

And So It Is

It’s rare when an entire planet can be caught in the grips of the same moment; facing an unseen tormentor who fights with the might of Goliath while many David’s have loosed their sling shots of weapons in hopes of defeating what cannot be seen. A mighty world filled with powerful weapons, unimaginable technology and the Wisdom of Solomon has been forced to cower in fear, to hide in place. Is it any wonder that we look behind us at what once was to see what can be?

There’s Always Tomorrow

For almost four weeks now, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly have enjoyed some exceptional time together. It has been the rich experience I never thought I would experience until I retired from everything. But, if this is retirement, “Lord, let it be so.” Nothing to complain about here. We have enjoyed spending quality time together and catching up on things that happened 50 years ago. Her memory is a lot better than mine, to be sure. This time off has really been a rejuvenating experience, at least for me. I must confess that I have had a Pajama Dilemma I never experienced before. When do I take my pajamas off in the morning, get dressed, and then later, when do I undress and put on my pajamas? This new schedule has not been clearly outlined, at least from my wife’s perspective. How long can I wear my pajamas? And, do you wear a tie with pajamas?

Positive Thinking: Can The Need To Be Positive F**K Up Someone’s Life?

When it comes to the world of self-development, positive thinking is often seen as an essential tool when it comes to living a good life. It doesn’t stop there, though, as this is an outlook that has permeated mainstream society.

Coronavirus Anxiety – How to Reduce It?

People are rightly talking about coronavirus anxiety in terms of the stress of uncertainty. The constant news about the pandemic can feel relentless. Whether it be today’s statistics on deaths and new cases, new social rules laid down by the Government or the latest public figure to go down with the virus.