Parkland School Shooting: Jury Deliberations Begin for Deputy Scot Peterson
Introduction
Jury deliberations are set to resume Thursday morning in the trial of former Broward County Sheriff's Deputy Scot Peterson, who is facing charges for his inaction during the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The trial, which began with jury selection last month, is a rare instance of a law enforcement officer being held accountable for their actions during a mass shooting.
Charges and Allegations
Peterson, 60, is charged with seven counts of child neglect, three counts of culpable negligence, and one count of perjury. Prosecutors allege that Peterson, who was assigned as the school resource officer at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, failed to confront the gunman, Nikolas Cruz, during the attack. Cruz killed 17 people and injured 17 others in the shooting.
Jury Deliberations
On Monday, prosecutors made their closing arguments, urging the jury to hold Peterson accountable for his actions. They argued that Peterson had a duty to protect the students and staff at the school and that he failed in that duty by failing to confront Cruz.
Peterson's defense team argued that he was not responsible for the actions of Cruz and that he had acted reasonably under the circumstances. They also pointed to the fact that Peterson had no prior history of misconduct.
Potential Impact
A conviction of Peterson could have sweeping implications for law enforcement officers across the country. It could set a precedent for holding officers accountable for their inaction during mass shootings and could lead to changes in training and policies.
Background of the Case
Peterson was a 32-year veteran of the Broward County Sheriff's Office when the shooting occurred. He had been assigned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as the school resource officer since 2014.
On February 14, 2018, Cruz entered the school and began shooting. Peterson was on duty at the time but remained outside the building and did not confront Cruz.
Peterson was fired from the Sheriff's Office shortly after the shooting. He was indicted on the charges in 2019 and has pleaded not guilty.
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