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A longtime defense attorney in South Florida says people shouldn't second guess the jury that recommended life in prison instead of the death penalty for the Parkland school shooter.
Michael Salnick tells CBS 12 News that the decision came down to the "mental illness" claims of the defense "winning out."
"This will be criticized forever...'Was he really mentally ill? Was it a rogue jury?' And you're going to hear those things, and I understand why you're going to hear those things. But they did their job."
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg tweeted his reaction, stating that it's "rare to get a death penalty verdict in South Florida."
He says he respects the jury's decision but "if the death penalty doesn't apply to the slaughter of 17 innocents, nearly all children, then when?"
Nikolas Cruz will be formally sentenced on November 1.