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Nicolas Cruz pleaded guilty to killing 17 people, including students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The penalty phase of the trial is underway with jurors being asked to decide whether Cruz should spend the rest of his life in prison or be sentenced to death.

So far there have been 11 days of defense testimony, including the shooter\'s biological sister, who did not grow up in the same household as Cruz. During her testimony, she was asked about her mother\'s use of heavy use of alcohol while pregnant and her knowledge of a reality show based on another brother, Zachary Cruz.\\xa0\\xa0

A heated exchange between the judge and the defense has resulted in a motion being filed by the defense for Judge Elizabeth Scherer to remove herself from the case. When the defense suddenly rested its case without notice, Scherer called the defense decision\\xa0 "the most uncalled for, unprofessional way to try a case."\\xa0

The defense had indicated an intention to call 40 witnesses but rested after only 25. The sudden announcement meant prosecutors weren\'t ready to start their rebuttal case.

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

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• Dale Carson - High Profile Attorney (Jacksonville), Former FBI Agent, Former Police Officer (Miami-Dade County), Author: "Arrest-Proof Yourself, DaleCarsonLaw.com
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• Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst (Beverly Hills, CA), DrBethanyMarshall.com, New Netflix show: \'Bling Empire\' (Beverly Hills)
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• Sheryl McCollum - Forensic Expert, Founder: Cold Case Investigative Research Institute in Atlanta, GA, ColdCaseCrimes.org, @ColdCaseTips\\xa0\\xa0
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• ME - Dr. Priya Banerjee, M.D. - Board Certified Forensic Pathologist, Anchor Forensic Pathology Consulting, Assistant Medical Examiner
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• Andy Kahan - Director of Victim Services and Advocacy at Crime Stoppers of Houston, crime-stoppers.org, Facebook: "Andy Kahan and Crime Stoppers of Houston", Twitter: @AKahanCrimeSto1, Instagram: @AndyVictimAdvocate\\xa0
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• David Ovalle - Crime Reporter, Miami Herald, Twitter: @davidovalle305, MiamiHerald.com
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