'You're out of line': Parkland judge, defense shout at each other during Nikolas Cruz sentencing
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- čas přidán 31. 10. 2022
- Defense attorneys for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz objected to statements made by families of the victims, some of which they said called "attacks" on the defense and their children. But the hearing quickly erupted into a shouting match between the attorneys and Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer.
"You need to sit down, you're out of line. In fact, you're excused. Go to the back of the room now," Scherer told one assistant attorney after he brought up the judge's children. "That just violated about every rule of professional responsibility."
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Imagine saying in a courtroom where a child murderer is on trial, "No one in this courtroom has endured more than we have." Absolutely brain dead.
@ casey, one or more of the parents called for his firing, and rightly so.
It's sickening
@@tessat.1616 I hope he was
Well majority the kids he kill were good looking popular kids that bullied him and rest of the ugly ones just got in the way and weren’t meant to be killed I’m sure
@@acarrotaday1782 Considering the whole reason to doing it was because a girl didn't have feelings for him and found him creepy you're beyond wrong.
“No one in the courtroom has had to endure what we endured”! Seriously? Tell that to the victims families who lost loved ones including children. No one in the courtroom has had to endure WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH!!!!!!
But these defense attorneys are literally just doing their jobs.
Flipping off the camera/court and laughing and joking and giggling is NOT just doing their jobs.
@@NKTB210 Do you even know what the defense had to endure? I am NOT diminishing the victims and their families heartbreak,, don't get that twisted. But you,like me, have NO idea what they've dealt with for week up week. Again, NOT given a choice on if the represent this killer or not. When I am nervous I laugh. When I'm in trouble I laugh. Id rather they do this then go home and do worse. Everyone is behaving as if these people killed. They're being targeted for doing their job. That isn't right. Hate the person that did this.
@@mandylucas123 they didn’t have their children slaughtered. That’s for sure. And if you flip off people who did because you’re nervous then that’s just sad. No they didn’t kill. They just saved a violent mass murderer’s life. Just as bad if you ask me.
@@NKTB210 They DID their job! They had a job to fight for him to get life and not DP. Had they not, he could have appealed.. inadequate counsel. Then guess what happens.. These families have to live this trial again! How fair is that? I don't know about flipping domeone off. I know I see the female sitting with her hand up.. not being a bit*h, intentionally doing it.
These are the most inappropriate team of attorneys I’ve ever seen in my life. Absolutely every single one on the defense should be disbarred or lose their licenses immediately. For them to have shown so much disrespect to the families of this tragedy is appalling. They’re as soulless as the monster they defended.
Well said!!!
AGREED! 💯
All defence attorney are rotten eggs like him and I wish they should suffer and get paid back what they did
Even the judge is a wacko
The killer is a malignant narcissistic sociopath who hired a malignant narcissistic sociopathic legal defense. Didn't think it was possible, but here we are.
So if the defense knows its wrong to offend or even threaten children. The murderer in this trial should be held to highest of sentences.
@@user-fo6cv3on4w What are you talking about? I didnt say anything about the judge. I simply said the Defense knows its wrong to threaten harm to children where the Defendant MURDERED CHILDREN. Look that up.
@@user-fo6cv3on4w Judges hand down the sentence. Juries hand down the conviction.
Are they seriously playing the victims card?
Actually they are all playing...this trial is a fraud an cruz is a hired fbi agent...cruz did what BROWARD pigs told him to do.....that's y they let him escape....
No matter what you think of this judge in particular, talking over and constantly interrupting a judge is absolutely ridiculous. Hold them in contempt and accountable for their actions. Disgusting to be giving the middle finger like a middle school kid and laughing during a mass murder trial.
Neither of those attorneys would've been so disrespectful towards the judge had the judge been a man. I bet my savings on that.
That's quite the assumption you made. Disrespectful people are typically disrespectful people.
Miss Spaz I don't normally travel this road but you are absolutely correct. I think the fact she was young and pretty caused their respect to diminish too.
@@trishferris7355 Yes me neither. I never play the sexist card but I really think this is the case.
That made me so angry!!!
That entire defense team was very unprofessional this entire trial. Great job Judge!
The entire defense team should be held in contempt of court.
@@michaelreardon3958 That's what I'm saying.
that entire defense team are public defenders and they seemed more impassioned to me than any public defender i ever saw in court; yet they were still terrible. Not that they had much to work with given their asshole client. nonetheless remember these are our tax dollars at work
Wtf??? The shear audacity of the defense lawyers' statements and unprofessional behavior is beyond comprehension.
Lock up the defense team as well.
Who the hell? What the hell, where do the lawyers come from, who do they think they are???
This is disgusting 🤮
well, since that was a death penalty hearing they won. So, I guess that makes them a pretty effective defense team doesn't it?
@@Atreas40000 probably not a good deference team and how their bullshit wasn’t exposed to the jury , is what made him not get the death penalty. Either way, he did get the death penalty when another inmate kills him 😬
@@elviragomez5703 Cruz didn't get the death penalty because the defense convinced at least 1 juror to doubt that they had to vote for it. Therefore, the defense won this sentencing hearing. I personnaly would have prefered for him to have gotten the death penalty, but still one cannot ignore the unprofessional way in which the judge treated the defense. A judge has a duty to be stoic and impassionate. She clearly wasn't and she prejudiced this case. She didn't have to.
@@elviragomez5703 I doubt he goes to general population he's a high profile inmate most of them don't go to general population
@@Atreas40000 noone accused them of being bad lawyers, we’re accusing them of being unprofessional, insensitive and disrespectful.
I cannot help but think that, if this had been a male judge he would not have had to repeat himself so many times. The disrespect shown to this judge by not complying with her orders until given multiple times is inexcusable.
Same. They treat her like a child. Hope they learn something.
Absolutely a thousand percent true. I appreciate you acknowledging this.
They are so similar to the defense team in the Darrel Brooks trial! These are supposed to be professionals? The judge in brooks case is having an easier time with him defending himself than this poor judge is with these idiots!!!
You might be right! I can't help thinking she was wrong to allow them to continue arguing. I would've had them escorted out entirely. But, what do I know? 🤷🏻♀️ I'm no judge.
My thoughts exactly. There have been disgusting comments towards this judge and her appearance, her competency, etc. that I have never seen directed to a male judge.
These lawyers flipped off the Court, sat and giggled with the mass murderer DURING VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS and they're the "real victims". They need to be centured and DISBARRED. Take the livelihoods away until they understand the meaning of compassion!
I truly cannot believe she didn't hold these lawyers in contempt. You NEVER talk back to a judge. And instead of identifying the alleged comment about his children, that buffoon attorney makes a comment about the judges children? What a lack of professionalism.
So it’s okay to make a comment about the attorneys children but not the judges? Do as I say not as I do…. Ridiculous typical tyranny one sided government worker at its finest. The judge should be brought before a judicial inquiry
@@NguageTrains time stamp??? I never heard any mention of the defense's kids...
@@NguageTrains they brought their own kids up to make points, the Judge and her family have nothing to do with any arguments the lawyers want to make.
@@SolidGoldCEO apparently the victims families brought up the lawyers kids which is uncalled for. The lawyers might be dirt, but the kids are innocent.
@@micahman223 I believe it was the student's mother who was talking about karma, saying that the lawyers will have to explain to their children someday who they were willing to represent -a mass school shooter. Honestly I think her testimony wasn't bad, it was holding them accountable which no one wants to do. Whatever the case, these lawyers got off easy from what the judge probably could have done.
Wow, how dare someone bring up his/her children......imagine if their children were MURDERED. Beyond insulting to the families. To actual stand there and moan about about WORDS while the families will never see thier loved ones again.
What did they say about their children?
5:29-5:44
I am sure you guys heard about the Uvalde Texas shooting of those 19 children, all under twelve while the cops hired to protect them stood outside while that teenage murderer slaughtered those kids inside. One female cop was heard saying" If my son was in there, I was going in to get him out" She was immediately fired. That defense attorney didn't want these hurting parents to mention her kids, while she was defending the criminal who killed their kids
When taking notes from Darrell Brooks goes horribly wrong, you’re effed 😭💀
She should have contempted that one dude. If one of my judges said sit down once, there would not have been a second time
Amen!!!!! Thank you Judge!!! That was AMAZING!!!!
@@sA-ny2jl are you always this mental that you keep repeating the same thing? Does the baby need attention?
Actually the judge was wrong. She proved his point
She's a much more patient woman than I would've been in the same circumstance. I _can't_ believe she let them continue talking over her when she repeatedly told them to "go sit down". Perhaps there's a legal reason why she allowed them to sit in the back. Had it been me, they wouldn't have been allowed to stay in the room!
Immature is what it's called. Making it a circus. Feel bad for the Judge
If only Darrell Brooks had her as a judge....he would've been lit on fire and no care of kindness about it. Judge dorrow was very patient. (That case it wasnt the attorney acting stupid but the person on trial)
@@cheyenethomasas Judges need to be very neutral and non-biased. The judge could mess up an entire trial if they got angry or whatever. Dorrow's strategy is effective at preventing arguments at appeal.
In this case, I'm guessing she didn't hold them in contempt because 1) No time to do so and 2) Just wants the trial done. 3) Prevents arguments at appeal that the judge was biased. Plus, it seems most judges do not want to hold counsel in contempt. Perhaps she thought their complaints were legitimate enough that it didn't warrant contempt but were illegitimate enough to tell them no.
@@MegaMech YESSSSS she was so amazing! I feel she done it for appeal purposes.
@@sA-ny2jl talking over or ignoring court orders.
That guy in the tartan tie was vile. I have never seen such disrespect to a Judge or victims. He talks about enduring a few comments. That he can say something so crass, so wrong on every level makes me despair. He was so condescending it was painful to watch. Pitiful.
I swear this defense attorney reminded me of Darrell Brooks talking over the judge and being insulted by the victims statements. What the hell is going on.
😂😂😂😂
Is she the same judge?
@@gaeagemaher8193 no, this was going on at the same time. Judge Darrow was extremely patient despite Brooks' outbursts because of the fact that his actions and her patience would be evidence against any attempt to appeal. She created a loooooong record for the court of his shenanigans and her attempts to remain unbiased. If an attorney was representing Brooks, then she'd have had higher expectations for their behavior and courtroom etiquette.
😂😂😂😂😂
I am so disgusted by the behavior of the whole defense team. Particularly both of these lawyers speaking a bunch of nonsense. If I was the judge, I would've had both of them held in contempt of court and arrested, plus disbarred. Miss McNeal as well for her inappropriate behavior. What an atrocious defense team, pure disgusting.
So glad the families got to express today what they had to ENDURE after this despicable show put on by the defense. I have never witnessed a more vile group of defense attorneys in action before a group of grieving families. I just can't believe how rude and downright ignorant they were acting in court no less!! SANCTIONS YOUR HONOR
These defense lawyers should have been in Wisconsin defending Darrell Brooks they got the right behavior and attitudes
Those defense attorneys are gonna be hated for the rest of their lives
The defense must have watched the brooks trial!😂😂😂😂
Seriously lol taking notes from a man child who just got convicted on 76 counts of charges… lmfaooo 💀
Lmao 🤣
Disgusting defense team. Throw them all in jail for contempt.
The thing Nikolas Cruz and the defense team has too realize he put himself in this position. So if all he had to do for taking some tongue lashing, (as for god sake he maybe TRY to empathize consider yourself lucky. You will be behind bars forever, and that is your punishment for taking so many lives before there time.
That judge took way too much. She should have held them in contempt and arrested. What a bunch of butthurt whining petulant children playing at being adults.
All he did was point out that she would have picked up on the comment had someone been referring to her own children, which based on her hysterical reaction is clearly obvious.
@@lellius that doesn't make it less inappropriate or disrespectful
@@fabiolarodriguez9237 I realize that, just adding some context. This is just pure speculation on my part but I would venture to guess that they might not have realized that the video was going out live because the court wasn’t in session at the time, but of course that isn’t really an excuse just an explanation.
Yes but if she held them in contempt, or fined them, the defense could then take legal action to try and have a mistrial
@@ra9-02 whose nice... The judge?
I've watched quite a lot of court cases of murderers, and I must say that I can't remember seeing the absolutely insensitivity demonstrated by a defense team as I have seen in this case. They went out of their way to coddle this fifteen times murderer before these parents who lost their kids by him. What they thought they were proving was totally lost on me. I know everyone deserves someone in their corner, to vouch for them to listen to them, and not be sitting there alone, no matter how guilty they may be, but these defense jerks took it to another level than I have ever seen. They deserved that public dress down from the judge. To think these defense attorneys were offended because some of the parents dared to mention their kids, while they sat there vigorously defending the criminal who murdered these people's kids. Go Figure!!
God I love this Judge. These men think they rule the world however she teated them like little boys being naughty in class.
Absolutely vile. How could the CHEIF PUBLIC DEFENDER walk up holding back laughter. I have never seen such a disgusting defensive team all they do is laugh and smile if they were genuinely worried about their children they would have not done defense for him. I really hope they all lose their license to practice law. Everything these people can do wrong they are doing it.
The judge in this case was formally reprimanded. She had to resign.
He’s black, what do you expect.
Hats off to madam Judge! She is amazing!
It’s insane that brothers and sisters were lost February 14th 2018 and Cruz gets to still speak to his brother now. Thank you justice system for having a predisposed bias against the victims!
What are you talking about? All attorneys must have a bias, that is the whole point of the system of representation. The defence is biased against the prosecution, and the prosecution is biased against the defense. The defense attorneys have one job: defend their client. They are horrible people and should be held in contempt for their horrendous courtroom etiquette, but they are at least committing to their job which requires it be on the side opposite of prosecution. Your statement doesn't even apply here.
That defense team is despicable.
The Defense Counsil needs to grow a pair...inappropriate behavior in court is not excusable..They were not professional...
I f*cken luv this Judge !!!
When the Judge says “No” that means NO….WTF is wrong with those defense attorneys? Too bad Judge Judy and Byrd aren’t there to kick their asses out!
The disrespect for this judge is unreal.
She should have held him in contempt.
She's the one who was formally reprimanded, Einstein.
I love this judge!
I am praying that those that can VOTE OUT Gordon Weekes when his next election comes around do just that. Whoever he reports to should have him resign or terminate his employment. His attorneys were rude, obnoxious, unprofessional and disgusting. They should face resignation or termination from their jobs also.
All these defence lawyers should be disbarred for their behavior during this trial,they are completely shameless,it's improper to talk about about their children but it's all right to treat the murderer like he is their good friend and show how much they dispise the court, and have little or no compassion for the victims
Hilarious!! Big Boy thought he was gonna bully the little girl! hahaha I love it
should have held that guy at the end in contempt. When a judge gives an order its an order, not an opportunity for you to ask the same thing again. The behavior of the defense is reprehensible in this case
"no one has had to endure what we've endured" well you're defending a child murderer so....
Amazing Judge.
Lol so she gets butthurt when HER children are talked about, but not his children? Who tf was "threatening" her children??
The fact that the defense guy brought up Paul Pelosi tells you who these people are. I’m so sick of these type of people. Those families have gone thru hell and they can say whatever the f*%# they want. This is their time! I feel sad for the families who have had to go thru this. It must have been like opening a wound all over again. I’ve never seen such a reprehensible defense team.
Those lawyers are threatening, flip the bird, out of control, truculent & in contempt. Judge should have their licenses reviewed.
Which part of no didn't that guy understand? The other guy didn't seem to understand what go sit down means and you got another flipping off the court? I'm not a lawyer, I don't even play one on TV, but if a judge told me no or told me to go sit somewhere I suppose I would choose that over a contempt of court charge. I guess that's why they are public defenders. I feel bad for the families who had to watch that behavior. Shame on the whole lot of em.
You go girl!
Lmao go girl? The bitch is on a power trip.
The fact that this man is still alive makes me so angry.The fact that he's probably in protective custody makes me so angry I can't wait till he gets in the general population in whatever prison he ends up at. So the prisoners can do the right thing and handle what needs to be done where the judicial system failed
I hope everyday is hell
They will likely never put him in gen pop. He will probably be in the SHU for the rest of his miserable pathetic life. Hopefully someone can get to him but odds are tax payers money will go to paying for him to sit around and rot for the next 50 years
I understand where you're coming from but ultimately the judicial system did not "fail" -- a jury of peers made their decision and when it comes to DP sentencing it takes only one to render the decision into a life sentence. Trust me when I tell you he'll get handled all right in prison. Time passes and he will be out of protective custody soon.
The goal of the American Justice System is not to enact revenge nor is it capable of healing anybody. It sounds like that's what you're looking for and expecting. When any thinking, rational person (not someone taken over by emotion) looks at the totality of this case it is obvious that the education/law enforcement system also had a part to play in this tragedy regarding their inability to respond and often times deriliction of duty in taking concerns and complaints about Cruz seriously. He should have been in a mental institution. Given the totality of the facts and disregarding the victim's personal emotional pain and grief they decided correctly in this case not to execute a minor. Their job is not to satisfy the victim's pain by enacting revenge. If you want the justice system to be in the business of enacting revenge, making that a jury's #1 priority then you should lobby for a change in the laws of the country and some ammendments to the Constitution.
Sounds like a personal problem.
He doesn't like the truth said about the horrible people who call themselves defense lawyers. May they learn what the victims have gone through.
@@Skipbo000 he's the one that pled guilty as his constitutional right and forfeited his right to a trial. The jury didn't even have to consider guilt. I think what was worse, was the conduct of the defense. I do find it interesting that you think a confessed cold blooded murderers life is more important than the lives he took.
@@ianbingham6934 ah yes, i forgot he pled guilty and this was all about life or death penalty. yeah, that changes things. we just went all through this for a guy who pled GUILTY?? ok that's fucked up.
So disrespectful, they should all be fired
Oh my geez. Really? I cannot believe the defense council just played the victim card and brought up the Judges children…..that is irrelevant to the case. Acting like petulant school children…..disrespectful to The Court. SMH.😑🤦♀️
But he said they brought his up first
This whole scene sounds like something out of a 3rd grade classroom lol.
@7:05 WHAT THE F IS HE TALKING ABOUT?! DOES HE NOT KNOW WHY HE IS EVEN THERE?
Maybe if the defense lawyers had some respect for the families that lost loved ones they wouldn't need to worry.
Go sit down!
Honestly that defense is very ridiculous and to bring kids into it is disgusting you just did the very thing you claim your upset about! Learn to shut up while you are ahead!
The defence council are just do gooders, so glad the judge had the professional decency to put the defence in there place. I can’t believe they bought up the judges kids. I don’t blame her for getting emotional, but she still remained very professional. I hope there’s more great judges like her that’s what’s I like to say.
Amen Judge!!!!!! Sit down Mr Weaks and the most unprofessional defense!!!!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. NO!!! Remove him!!!
Both of these lawyers are in direct contempt of the court I feel.
I like how he got treated like a little kid throwing tantrum.
I love this judge.
Not me she looks like she's their for the attention.
Judge out of line, about children, most lawyers have children you know,
Where's Judge Judy?!? Everybody know she don't play that 💩! 😂
Absolutely! This judge is as crazy as those attorneys.
The defence team must have known this was going to be unpleasant. They should be aware of and respect the fact that these people are speaking from a place of the deepest pain. They should’ve been prepared to sit there, shut the f up and take it.
No
Defense Attorney Wheats is out of line and unprofessional for censoring the families. These defense team is disgusting.
Does somebody know if theres a Video from the Moment they are talking about? Maybe with at which time if its longer
Love this judge!!!
I LOVE HOW THE JUDGE GOES OFF AND TREATS THEM LIKE 2 YEARS OLD OR 3 YEARS OLD!!!! 😂😂😂😂
Remove all the defense lawyers, who are disrespectful.
There may only be two left!
This attorney is defending the guy who murdered all these people's children and has the nerve to complain that someone *said* something about his? Are you kidding me?
The only defense attorney who seems to have been professional is the male sitting next to Cruz at this hearing. I’d be embarrassed if I were him to be apart of the defense team.
Am I the only one who doesn’t think the lawyer that got excused did anything wrong? He’s illustrating a point and she says he’s threatening her children. Honestly just looks like a power move.
Yeah to characterize him asking her how she's feel if someone brought up her children as a threat makes no sense to me. Defense were correct in this situation. They should have respected her ruling and order to move on much earlier, but they weren't wrong
@@LuteItBe To be fair, the other party brought up the topic of the public defense's children first. So they had a right to be annoyed that their children was referenced. All they were doing is making a point to the judge by saying if whether the judge would be fine if her own children were mentioned. The judge was extremely unprofessional here.
Disgusting behavior IMO every word the defense said after they were told to sit down and the Judge was interrupted I would have held them in contempt and told them every in appropriate word said would have cost them 5 grand and the lawyer with the middle finger should have been removed and fined.
And all the while, the murderer is watching this circus.
Defending someone you know is guilty makes no sense to me
This whole thing is absolutely unprofessional
That judge was born for this job
Can I have a recess?
No.
Can I have a recess?
No.
Can I have a recess?
No.
This is not a successful defense strategy.
They are so similar to the defense team in the Darrel Brooks trial! These are supposed to be professionals? The judge in brooks case is having an easier time with him defending himself than this poor judge is with these idiots!!!
These defense attorneys propagate the phrase "scum lawyer."
I would of told the 2nd lawyer 2 times to go sit down.Then I would of had the bailiff to remove him from court room.
Holy poop love this judge.. she stood her ground.
Good for you Judge, You're in charge. That Man is an absolute fool!!!
Why doesn't this judge SHE HULK these disrespectful peeps into a contempt-of-court mini suite?
Mr. Weeks is totally out of line. I can see why all the families can't stand him.
Didn't the defense flip the bird DURING the trial? Who tf are they to try and play victim here?
They did. It’s disgusting.
@@jpeg42069 when? If they really did that they would be held in contempt.
2 of them did. You can find video of it on CZcams. One woman was “scratching her face with the middle finger”
@@debrakleid5752 they are disgusting. I understand they have a duty to provide a defense but they have been so rude and disrespectful it almost seems they're just as psychotic as the defendant.
@@Chris-bs4qy this trial lasted nearly 4 months, go find the clip for yourself. You really think the judge, myself, and all of these other commenters are just making it up that the defense flipped off the cameras?
THIS IS VERY SAD IM SO SORRY FOR THE FAMILIES
dude should be disbarred, he's insulting victims in an open court which is immediate grounds for dismissal in any state.
That Man Not Listening to the Judge, can not believe it, I am in the UK and I hope there is more respect for the Judges here, That whole Defence team is terrible, This Judge is Good really good at how she is handling this defense team
Like a boss.
This Judge is fierce. Good for her. Tired of hearing about NC. This is awful all around but this Judge held her ground.
How can Cruz have this kind of defence...
5 lawyers?
1 ok but 5 is extreme
I love the judge. She handled that very well. "And no one had to endure what they had to endure?" I facedesked my head so hard
I love this woman
She's quite the mother bear, that judge. Nobody tampers with her children. 😅
This judge is a badass
If I were the judge these attorneys would be escorted to the county jail for contempt of court
This Public Defenders Office is arrogant and pathetic. The Judge, God Bless her, laid the smack down on their candy asses as they deserved.
That judge has more patience than 99% of people
So basically, the defence team was saying “we saved a psycho who killed 17 people from the chopping block and deprived the families and loved ones of those victims the justice that they need, BUT we shouldn’t be held against it”. Dude, y’all DECIDED to be defence attorneys, and it comes with it. They are like Pontius Pilate washing his hands. Disgusting.
Do you believe Cruz had a Constitutional right to a defense? For those tasked with defending him, do you think they should be personally berated for doing their job? Do you believe that the goal of the American system of justice should be revenge?
Should have dropped a contempt order on both defense attorneys.