The team defending high school shooter Nikolas Cruz abruptly and unexpectedly rested its case Wednesday, prompting a furious rebuke from the judge.
Seething Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer accused lawyer Melisa McNeill of brazenly ignoring professional protocols by not giving her or prosecutors advance notice of her plan.
“I have never experienced a level of unprofessionalism in my career!” Scherer said. “It’s unbelievable!”
Cruz’s attorneys initially told the court they planned to call roughly 80 witnesses — but concluded their presentation Wednesday after only about 25.
Scherer was visibly stunned by the surprise move, sitting at the bench with her mouth agape for several seconds before skewering the defense.
Scherer said the court needlessly convened jurors, lawyers and staff Wednesday with the expectation the defense was set to proceed.
She asked equally startled prosecutors if they were prepared to begin their rebuttal arguments, the next scheduled phase of the trial.
“We were waiting for 40 more witnesses,” responded lead prosecutor Mike Satz, while holding up his hands in disbelief.
Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool
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