FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Prosecutors want a judge to set a trial date for Nikolas Cruz in the Florida school massacre that killed 17 people last year.
Prosecutor Jeff Marcus told Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer at a hearing Tuesday that the case is fairly uncomplicated despite its magnitude and urged a September trial date.
But Judge Scherer said she wasn't ready to move that fast and Cruz's lawyers say they still need to review evidence and interview dozens of witnesses.
The 20-year-old Cruz faces first-degree murder and attempted murder charges in the Valentine's Day 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
His attorneys have said he will plead guilty in exchange for a life prison sentence, but prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.