Parkland school shooting: Jurors acquit former Florida MP for failing to protect students

Scot Peterson's reaction to being found not guilty of all charges. Photo: Amy Beth Bennet

A Florida jury acquitted a former Deputy Sheriff on Thursday for failing to protect students during the 2018 mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Scot Peterson, School Resources Officer, was charged with 11 counts of child neglect, gross negligence and perjury.

60-year-old Peterson laid his head on the table in front of him and sobbed in relief as the judge read aloud the verdict of not guilty on each count. The jury verdict saved him from 97 years in prison.

After the verdict, Peterson told reporters at the courthouse that he would like to talk to the parents of the students who died in the shooting.

“If they really need to know the truth about what happened… I will be there for them,” he said. he, holding back tears.

In a statement, the Broward State Attorney's Office, which filed the case, reiterated its argument that Mr. consequences” for victims.

«For the first time in the history of our country, the prosecutor's office in this case tried to prosecute an armed school employee for not doing his job,» the statement said. jpg» /> Mr. Peterson kisses his wife, Lydia Rodriguez, after being found not guilty Photo: Reuters

Some of the victims' parents who were present at the trial were also disappointed with the result.

«All I can say to the jury is that I think your school should hire him to protect your kids,» Tony said. Montalto, whose daughter Gina was one of the students killed in the shootout. Mr. Montalto turned down Mr. Peterson's offer to speak.

Mr. Peterson was armed but never went inside at the time of the shooting, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office and CCTV footage.

He is one of the few law enforcement officers ever held accountable for inaction or inaction.

The outcome of a highly unusual case could set a legal precedent and encourage prosecutors across the country to refrain from prosecuting similar officials for negligence following other shootings.

Mr. Peterson did not testify in his trial, which lasted two years. half a week. In October, a jury spared Nicholas Cruz, the Parkland shooter, the death penalty, instead calling for life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In May, the United States marked the anniversary of the deadliest school shooting in the United States almost a decade in which a gunman in Uvalde, Texas, killed 19 children and two teachers and wounded 17 others.

Police waited over an hour before entering and confronting the shooter in this case, causing widespread criticism.

The Texas Department of Public Safety report showed that police officer Uvalde could have shot the shooter before he entered the school, but hesitated, waiting for permission from the superior.

p>