SENTENCING THE PARKLAND KILLER

Here are updates from Day 23 in the sentencing trial of confessed Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, 23; a jury will decide if he will be executed or sentenced to life in prison without parole. He pleaded guilty in October to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the Feb. 14, 2018, massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

▪ Jury selected: The 12 jurors who will decide the fate of the confessed Parkland school shooter were chosen Tuesday. At least eight people will serve as alternates in case any of the original 12 are unable to complete the trial that is expected to stretch into October.

▪ Who are the jurors? The jurors chosen were two banking executives and two tech workers, a probation officer, a human resources professional and a Walmart store stock supervisor. Also included are a librarian, a medical claims adjuster, a legal assistant, an immigration officer and a retired insurance executive.

▪ No anonymity: The jurors’ names will not be released until the trial ends. During trials, the court bars media from taking pictures and videos showing jurors’ faces, and jurors are strictly prohibited from talking to the media or anyone else about their cases. But their names are public record, and media members are legally permitted to interview jurors after trials are concluded.

▪ Looking ahead: Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer and the attorneys next will focus on remaining pre-trial motions. The judge had hoped to hold opening statements on July 6 but said last week that date was “optimistic.” A later start date is likely.

Go to SunSentinel.com/parkland-shooting for complete coverage of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy and ongoing coverage of the sentencing trial.