PHOTOS: Emotional Moments Captured in First Week of Parkland Shooter's Death Penalty Trial
Many parents and family members in the audience were seen crying, and some leaving the courtroom, as the sounds of gunshots and screams were played for the jury
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NBC 6’s Tony Pipitone recaps day four of the Parkland shooter’s penalty trial
On July 18, Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooter Nikolas Cruz underwent the start of a trial that will determine his sentencing.
The confessed killer, now 23, pleaded guilty in October to all 17 murders and 17 counts of attempted murder, so the jurors will now decide whether he will be sentenced to death or get life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The jury must be unanimous for the gunman to receive the death penalty, meaning that if at least one juror votes for life, that will be the decided sentence.
Day 5: Testimony From First Responders, Medical Examiners Reveals Gruesome Picture of Massacre
As the first week of the sentencing trial wrapped up Friday, police officers and coroners took to the stand and revealed horrific details of the 2018 school shooting.
Police officers were asked to recount what they witnessed when they responded to the high school following the shooting, which included seeing students and faculty members lay dead in the halls.
Medical examiners were also asked to describe the injuries sustained by victims, and the specific gunshot wounds that led to many students' deaths.
Judge Elizabeth Scherer presides over the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, July 22, 2022.
Members of the defense team and State Attorneys talk during the penalty phase of shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, July 22, 2022.
Broward Sheriff ‘s Office Sgt. Richard Van Der Eems describes the scene he encountered at the school after the mass shooting.
Chief Assistant Public Defender David Wheeler prepares for the day’s trial.
Assistant Public Defender Tamara Curtis listens as Assistant State Attorney Jeff Marcus speaks during the penalty phase of shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, July 22, 2022.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Detective Dan Krystyn identifies high capacity magazines recovered at the crime scene. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz is being tried in the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, July 22, 2022.
Fred Gutenberg, left, and Max Schachter re-act to witness testimony during the penalty phase of shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, July 22, 2022.
Shooter Nikolas Cruz talks to sentence mitigation specialist Kate O’Shea during the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, July 22, 2022.
Dr. Iouri Boiko, a Forensic Pathology Specialist, describes the gunshot wounds that the victims sustained.
Day 4: Witnesses Recount Interacting with Parkland Gunman After Shooting
On the fourth day of the penalty trial, witness testimony and surveillance video provided insight into the events that unfolded after the school shooting that left 17 dead in 2018.
The court proceedings revealed that after he gunned down his teachers and classmates, the shooter bought a drink at a Subway and asked for a ride from a student at a McDonald's before being detained by police.
After a day and a half long recess, the trial is set to resume on Friday at 10 a.m.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz is led into court for the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, July 21, 2022.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Benjamin Wikander shows the brace he wears on his hand after he was shot during the shooting at his school.
Linda Beigel Schulman and Michael B. Schulman, listen during the penalty phase of shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, July 21, 2022.
Surveillance video shown in court of Nikolas Cruz in Subway of the defendant shortly after the shooting.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student John Wilford points out the defendant while he testifies about encountering Nikolas Cruz at a McDonalds shortly after the school shooting. Wilford’s sister Maddie was shot and severely injured in the shooting.
Photos shown in court of Nikolas Cruz during his arrest shortly after the shooting. Nikolas Cruz is in court for the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, July 21, 2022.
Coral Springs police officer Michael Leonard points out Nikolas Cruz in court. Leonard was the officer who arrested the defendant.
Assistant State Attorney Mike Satz speaks to the victims famlly during the penalty phase of shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, July 21, 2022.
Coral Springs police officer Kyle Reed points out Nikolas Cruz in Court. He was one of the officers involved in the arrest of the defendant shortly after the shooting.
Nikolas Cruz is escorted out of the courtroom by Broward County Sheriff officers during the penalty phase of his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, July 21, 2022.
Day 3: Students, Teachers Share Experiences of Parkland Shooting from the Witness Stand
The third day of the penalty trial for Parkland gunman Nikolas Cruz consisted of accounts from over a dozen students and teachers on what they witnessed during the 2018 shooting.
One student testifies to speaking with the shooter after his attack, and another unzips his jacket to reveal multiple scars caused by gunshot wounds. Several teachers recount directing their students to safety as the gunman traveled through the school.
Judge Elizabeth Scherer takes a sidebar during the penalty phase trial for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Ashley Baez leaves the witness stand after she described the gunshot wounds she sustained to her leg during the rampage at the school.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher Julietta Matlock describes the carnage in her classroom during the shooting rampage at the school. Several of her students were shot, and three of her students, Luke Hoyer, Gina Montalto, and Martin Duque were killed in the shooting.
Annika Dworet and Mitch Dworet hug Linda Beigel Schulman and Michael B. Schulman after they listened to teacher, Ivy Schamis describe the shooting in her classroom that killed their children.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Anthony Borges shows his gunshot wounds to the jury. He was shot five times.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher Ivy Schamis describes the carnage in her classroom during the rampage at the school. Two students in her class were killed, Nicholas Dworet, and Helena Ramsay.
Assistant State Attorney Carolyn McCann, left, meets with the family of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas victims during the penalty phase of shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Kyle Laman describes how he was shot in the ankle and later escaped from the gunman.
Broward Sheriff deputies look on during the penalty phase of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Samantha Mayor describes how her classroom was attacked and she was shot.
Max Schachter, left, and Fred Gutenberg react to a witness testimony of the shooting during the penalty phase of shooter Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Nicolette Miciotta points out the defendant in court.
Day 2: Gripping Witness Testimony Continues in Parkland Shooter's Death Penalty Trial
On the second day of the trial deciding gunman Nikolas Cruz's fate, witness after witness took to the stand to share their chilling memories of the Parkland massacre.
Among the witnesses was a video technician who analyzed surveillance footage and two teachers and ten students all present the day of the attack. Many of these former MSD students were shot and wounded by Cruz.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Christopher McKenna, the first to encounter the gunman on the day of the shooting, points out the defendant during his testimony.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz listens to witness testimony during the second day of court proceedings.
Family members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School victims speak in between court proceedings.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas student William Olson describes the gunshot injuries he sustained while testifying during the penalty phase of the gunman's trial.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Alexander Dworet leaves the witness after describing the gunshot injuries he sustained to the back of his head during the 2018 shooting.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Kheshava Mangapuram, who was wounded by the gunman, testifies in court about the school shooting.
Fred and Jennifer Guttenberg, parents of Parkland victim Jaime Guttenberg, react during the penalty phase of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher Dara Hass wipes away tears as she testifies in court about the shooting that left multiple students dead in her classroom.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Isabel Chequer, who was shot and injured in the school shooting, testifies in court against shooter Nikolas Cruz during the penalty phase of his trial.
Linda Beigel Schulman (center), mother of Parkland victim Scott Beigel, is comforted by other victims' family after listening to witness testimony describing the massacre.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Samantha Grady, who was shot and injured in the school shooting, testifies in court. She also shares her experience witnessing her close friend die in the shooting.
Assistant State Attorney Mike Satz shows photos to former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Daniela Menescal as she testifies in court about the injuries she sustained in the school shooting.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Samantha Fuentes, who was shot and injured in the school shooting, stares down the defendant in the case.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher Michael Powell testifies in court about hearing the school shooting on the floor above his classroom.
Day 1: Emotional Moments Captured During Opening Statements of Parkland Shooter's Death Penalty Trial
The sentencing trial for the man who killed 17 people and wounded 17 others in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting more than four years ago began with opening statements from the lead prosecutor, Mike Satz.
The opening statements were followed by emotional testimonies from teachers and students who witnessed the shooting. Many parents and family members in the audience were crying, and some left the courtroom, as the sounds of gunshots and screams were played for the jury.
On Monday, July 18, 2022, relatives and family members arrive at the courtroom on the first day of the sentencing trial for the confessed Parkland school shooter at the Broward County Judicial Complex in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Assistant State Attorney Mike Satz delivers his opening statement in the penalty phase of the trial of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
Assistant Public Defender Melisa McNeill sits next to capital defense attorney Casey Secor during the penalty phase of the trial for the confessed Parkland shooter.
Assistant State Attorney Jeff Marcus (right) talks to Assistant State Attorney Mike Satz (left) during the penalty phase of the trial for the confessed Parkland shooter in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, July 18, 2022.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter leans across assistant Public Defender Tamara Curtis to confer with assistant Public Defender Melisa McNeill during the penalty phase of his death penalty trial at the Broward County Courthouse.
The confessed Parkland shooter removes his glasses and looks down as video and audio are played from inside a classroom where shots were fired during the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Max Schachter, the father of 14-year-old Parkland victim Alex Schachter, reacts with his hands covering his mouth as video and audio are played from inside a classroom that was shot into during the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
State witness Danielle Gilbert, who was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, cries during direct examination in the penalty phase trial of the confessed Parkland shooter.
State witness Brittany Sinitch, a teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, dries her eyes during direct examination in the penalty trial of the confessed Parkland shooter.
Assistant State Attorney Mike Satz presents an exhibit into evidence during the penalty phase trial of Nikolas Cruz at the Broward County Courthouse.
The trial is expected to go on for at least four months. Follow live updates from NBC 6 here.
