Parkland Victim's Father Michael Schulman Gives Final Statement Before Shooter's Sentencing

Summary

In a powerful courtroom address, a grieving father and seasoned attorney passionately condemns the defense team and the system for failing to deliver justice for the murder of his son and 16 others in a school shooting. He recounts the personal impact of the tragedy, the dedication of the prosecution, and the callousness of the shooter, expressing his disdain for the defense's conduct and the lack of remorse from the perpetrator. The father also makes a formal request for transparency regarding the defense's financial dealings.

Takeaways

• 👨‍⚖️ The speaker is a seasoned attorney with 45 years of practice in New York, addressing the court with a personal and professional perspective.
• 🙏 The speaker expresses gratitude to the prosecution team for their dedication and effort in seeking justice for the victims, despite their disappointment in the verdict.
• 🏛️ The court is commended for handling a notorious and heinous case, with the speaker acknowledging the judge's command of the courtroom and knowledge of the law.
• 🚫 The speaker criticizes the defense team, asserting that they did not win but rather the system failed, and their actions were inappropriate and unprofessional.
• 🔫 The speaker recounts the tragic loss of his son, Scott, and the emotional impact of the mass shooting on his family and the community.
• 🏫 Scott is remembered as a beloved teacher and coach who inspired his students with his phrase "just run faster," symbolizing resilience and determination.
• 🌍 Scott's influence extended beyond his school, as evidenced by a story of a student's connection with someone from another country, highlighting his global impact.
• 📚 The speaker contrasts Scott's selfless spirit with the shooter's cold, calculated actions, emphasizing the profound loss of a compassionate individual.
• 💔 The emotional pain of the family is palpable as they recount the trauma of losing Scott and the ongoing struggle with grief and anger.
• 🔪 The speaker condemns the shooter as a coward and a monster, detailing the horrific nature of the crime and the shooter's lack of remorse.
• 📄 The speaker makes a formal request for the public defender's office to release documents related to the defense's expenses and compensation under the Freedom of Information Act.

Q & A

What is the speaker's profession and how long has he been practicing?

The speaker is a practicing attorney in New York for 45 years.

Who is Scott and what is the speaker's relationship to him?

Scott is the speaker's son, who was murdered in the incident being discussed in the court.

What is the speaker's opinion on the prosecution's performance in the case?

The speaker believes the prosecution put on a marvelous case and did not let them down, despite their disappointment in the verdict.

What does the speaker accuse the defense team of being?

The speaker accuses the defense team of being unprofessional and likens them to the person they are defending, calling them spineless and soulless monsters.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Just run faster' mentioned in the script?

'It just run faster' was a phrase used by Scott, the speaker's son, to motivate his students after a loss. It has now become a phrase used by the MSD cross-country teams.

How does the speaker describe the defendant's actions during the shooting?

The speaker describes the defendant's actions as heinous, calculated, premeditated, and cold-blooded, emphasizing the defendant's lack of remorse and humanity.

What was the impact of the shooting on the speaker's family and the community?

The shooting deeply affected the speaker's family and the community, with thousands of people affected and a memorial concert attended by many, including 500,000 viewers online.

What is the speaker's view on the defense's role in the case?

The speaker believes that while the defense had a duty to represent the defendant, they crossed lines in their representation, showing a lack of professionalism and empathy.

What is the speaker's request at the end of the script?

The speaker requests the public defender's office to provide documents related to the expenses and compensation for the defense team under the Freedom of Information Act within 30 days.

What is the speaker's birthday wish regarding the defendant?

The speaker's birthday wish is for the defendant to be dead, hoping that the justice system is carried out in jail by the defendant's fellow inmates.

How does the speaker describe the defendant's future in jail?

The speaker predicts that the defendant will be treated as an inanimate object in jail, passed around and traded like a commodity, suffering the consequences of his actions.