Judge Elizabeth Scherer, the Florida judge who presided over the Parkland school shooting trial, has been removed from a death row case.
Fox News reported Friday the Florida Supreme Court unanimously agreed Scherer would be removed from overseeing proceedings for Randy Tundidor after he was convicted and sentenced to death for killing his landlord in 2019.
In his motion to disqualify her, Tundidor accused Scherer of âconductâ in the case involving Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz âthat has been viewed as exhibiting bias against the defense and defense counsel, and which was widely reported in local, national, and international press, and streamed live on social media.â
He claimed, âDuring Cruzâs sentencing hearing on November 1, 2022, Judge Scherer engaged in heated exchanges with Cruzâs defense team.â
Additionally, Tundidor said Scherer âleft the bench and, while still in her judicial robe, exchanged hugs with the victimsâ families and members of the prosecution team, one of whom was Assistant State Attorney Steven Klinger, who is also the prosecutor in Tundidorâs case.â
The court stated in its decision, âWe conclude that the combination of certain circumstances contained in the allegations in Tundidorâs motion regarding the actions of Judge Scherer in the Cruz case on November 2, 2022, and in Tundidorâs case on November 4, 2022, which he alleged showed a sympathy with the State that was linked to the outcome of another capital case, would create in a reasonably prudent person a well-founded fear of not receiving a fair and impartial proceeding.â
The court continues, âBecause Tundidorâs motion provided a legally sufficient basis for disqualification, the trial court erred in denying it. We therefore quash the order denying it, grant a writ of prohibition, and direct the circuit court to reassign Tundidorâs case.â
In November, Scherer sentenced Cruz to life in prison for killing 17 students and staff at the school in 2018.
âI canât help but think how I would behave or respond if I were in your shoes,â Scherer said to the families of the victims at the time.
The judge also told the families if she âcould take your pain away or carry your pain for you just for five minutes so that you could breathe, I would.â
Scherer continued, âI canât even imagine what you go through today.â
She also recognized the sense of community among the families.
âI couldnât help but notice that when the survivors came in and testified, their family units came with them and were there for them,â Scherer said.
