The families of Parkland School shooter Nikolas Cruz wanted him executed, but 3 jurors disagreed, and the judge can’t impose a death sentence on her own. The video below captures the facial expressions of the judge, Cruz, and family members as she imposes a life sentence without parole for each victim. She also confiscated his prison commissary allowance.
As a child killer, Cruz may have a short life expectancy in prison. Or, he may be kept in segregation for his protection. He has nothing to look forward to except concrete walls, steel bars, clanging doors, headcounts, and prison meals. Given his youth, he could be forced to live this way for 50, 60, maybe 70 years.
That’s a very long time. I can’t imagine such a life; I don’t know how lifers cope, beyond having no choice (see “Shawshank Redemption” movie clip here). Most school shooters don’t survive; they’re either taken down by cops, or kill themselves. I’ve read stories of killers begging juries for a death sentence. The jury did Cruz no favor; I suspect before long he’ll wish for early death.