Defense Attorneys in Florida School Shooting Try to Withdraw

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz glances at Assistant Public Defender Melisa McNeill during jury selection in the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on June 6, 2022. Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—The public defenders representing Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz tried to withdraw from his death penalty trial Monday after the judge ordered them to move forward with jury selection even though one member of their five-member team is sick with COVID-19.

Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer rejected the withdrawal motion by Cruz’s lead attorney, Melisa McNeill. The defense then filed a motion asking Scherer to remove herself from the case, accusing her of being biased against Cruz. Scherer dismissed the request.