FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—The public defenders for the Parkland school massacre defendant unexpectedly asked to withdraw from the case on April 24, saying the 20-year-old man will soon inherit nearly a half-million dollars and no longer qualify for free legal representation.
The Broward County Public Defender’s Office filed the unexpected notice late Wednesday, saying Nikolas Cruz is set to receive more than $432,000 shortly from his late mother’s life insurance policy. Under state law, the public defender can only represent defendants who cannot afford private attorneys.
