Parkland Shooting Trial: Ex-Officer Accused of Child Neglect Gets Final Verdict

A former school resource officer accused of neglecting his duty to confront a shooter who claimed the lives of 17 individuals at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida in 2018 was acquitted of child neglect and negligence charges during the Parkland shooting trial Thursday.

The defendant, Scot Peterson, a 60-year-old Broward County sheriff's deputy who has since been terminated, arrived at the scene of the Valentine's Day mass shooting armed with a handgun, USA Today noted.

Prosecutors argued that instead of engaging the assailant, Peterson opted to seek cover and "chose to run," prioritizing his safety.

In response, his defense team contended that Peterson was unfairly made a scapegoat, emphasizing the chaotic nature of the incident, which hindered his ability to discern the source of the gunfire.

Peterson faced multiple charges, including seven counts of felony child neglect for four students who tragically lost their lives and three injured within a classroom building.

Additionally, he faced three counts of misdemeanor culpable negligence for the deaths of a teacher and an adult student, as well as the injury of another teacher.

Furthermore, he was charged with perjury for allegedly providing false statements under oath regarding his actions and comprehension of the events that transpired that day.

After more than 19 hours of deliberation spread over four days, the jury delivered a verdict of acquittal on all counts.

Scot Peterson Speaks Out After the Parkland Shooting Trial Verdict

In his post-proceedings statement to reporters, Peterson expressed his sense of reclaiming his life, stating, "I got my life back."

He also emphasized the significance of acknowledging the tragic events that unfolded on February 14, reiterating, "Don't anybody ever forget this was a massacre on February 14."

Scot Peterson placed the blame squarely on the perpetrator, referring to them as a "monster," per CBS News.

Recognizing their limitations, he remarked, "We did the best we could with the information we had, and God knows we wish we had more."

When asked about his message to the victims' families, some of whom had previously commended the authorities following his arrest, Peterson expressed his willingness to engage with them.

"I would love to talk to them... That may not be what they're feeling at this point. Maybe now, they'll get a little understanding, but I'll be there for them."

Victims' Families Not Happy with the Parkland Shooting Trial's Verdict

The verdict delivered on Thursday left the families of the victims in a state of disbelief, particularly after grappling with the shooter's life sentence.

Tony Montalto, the father of 14-year-old Gina Montalto, who tragically lost her life on the first floor of the 1200 building, expressed his bewilderment at the jury's decision.

He voiced his perplexity, stating, "We don't understand how this jury looked at the evidence that was presented and found him not guilty."

The outcome profoundly shook Montalto's faith in the justice system.

Montalto drew attention to recently released body camera footage from a shooting incident in Allen, Texas, last month.

The footage showed an officer actively searching for and ultimately neutralizing the assailant. Montalto cited this as an example of decisive action, remarking, "We saw that officer run to address a threat, to take the initiative to go and stop the threat, even though he didn't know where the shots were. That's the kind of action we all hope (to see)."

Regarding Peterson, Montalto expressed the continued sentiment that he should bear the burden of his failure to act, stating, "We still feel he should be haunted every day by his failure to act."

Darren Levine, a survivor of the 2018 shooting and a teacher at the time, shared his disappointment during an interview with CNN.

He expressed feeling "very deflated" on behalf of the victims' families and the students and teachers who had to testify after enduring years of waiting.

Levine conveyed a sense that the Marjory Stoneman Douglas community's voice had not been fully heard by the legal system, concluding with a somber tone, "It's another sad day."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Former Parkland School Officer Bursts Into Tears, Hysterical After Verdict Is Read - From Law&Crime Network