Judge: Florida school shooting suspect keeps public defender

Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer’s ruling Tuesday says Cruz has at most $28,000 in assets. Scherer says that’s not enough money to hire a private lawyer in a potential death penalty case of this magnitude. (Photo: Eric Wilson/ Flickr)

MIAMI — A judge has decided that Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz should continue to be represented by a public defender at taxpayer expense.

Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer’s ruling Tuesday says Cruz has at most $28,000 in assets. Scherer says that’s not enough money to hire a private lawyer in a potential death penalty case of this magnitude.

The 19-year-old Cruz is charged with 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. He is being held without bail.

Cruz’s lawyers have said he will plead guilty if prosecutors waive the death penalty. The Broward County state attorney’s office has not been willing to do that.