The Florida Bar is investigating an assistant public defender on mass shooter Nikolas Cruz’s legal team after she was observed flipping off and laughing alongside him during court proceedings, prompting parents of victims to accuse his defense team of lacking humane behavior during his sentencing trial.
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Andino Reynal
Texas lawyer F Andino Reynal apologized Thursday after giving opposing attorney Mark Bankston, representing victims’ families following Wednesday’s Sandy Hook massacre, the middle finger during a heated discussion at the end of Wednesday’s court session.
Reynal was engaged in a heated dispute over what videos could be shown to a 12-person jury for consideration in their defamation case brought forward by Jesse Lewis’ parents. Reynal used offensive language against Bankston during this argument, repeatedly calling him out as being untrustworthy while raising his middle finger at him.
Judge Maya Guerra Gamble recognized Reynal had had a difficult day and ordered both lawyers to relax. Additionally, she requested they review attorney ethics rules regarding courtroom decorum before agreeing to return tomorrow morning for further discussion of this matter.
Tamara Curtis
Broward County Assistant Public Defender Kendra Curtis is under investigation by the Florida Bar for her actions during Nikolas Cruz’s trial, according to Law&Crime’s reporting. During a livestream hearing in July, Curtis noticed camera people adjusting angles and zoom settings; she raised her middle finger and rubbed it against her cheek causing Cruz to laugh before raising it again to wipe her eyes before returning it against her cheek again causing laughter among attendees in attendance.
Victims’ families voiced outrage over the incident and the Florida Bar initiated an investigation, though details have not been made available yet. A Bar representative indicated that an attorney under investigation can still practice unless ordered by a court for discipline.
Curtis is a public defender for Broward County who attended Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. She has worked at their office for over a decade without incurring a prior disciplinary history and was given the case of Nikolas Cruz who was sentenced to life imprisonment Wednesday for killing 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. She will represent him before sentencing takes place next March.
Mark Bankston
Mark Bankston is a sixth generation native Texan who specializes in complex commercial and civil litigation with an emphasis on motor vehicle dealers. He possesses extensive first chair trial experience. Additionally, Mark is frequently quoted in industry publications regarding issues that impact car businesses.
At his cross-examination of Jones, the plaintiffs’ attorney raised concerns as to his commitment to this case, noting how recently Jones broadcast a video clip claiming Judge Maya Gamble worked for Child Protective Services as someone who “works with pedophiles”.
According to The New York Times, Bankston responded by flipping the bird at Reynal. Courtroom chaos was then temporarily stopped when another lawyer suggested outside discussion of their dispute between lawyers. Bankston apologized for his behavior and stated he wanted to assure Heslin and Lewis he is taking their case seriously; additionally he denied claims the lawsuit is part of any larger conspiracy against his client.
Nikolas Cruz
Since the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, several family members of victims have expressed frustration with Cruz’s defense attorneys over their conduct in representing him – one even stated they “gave up their humanity” by doing so.
Tamara Curtis, Cruz’s legal representation, was captured on camera rubbing her middle finger over Cruz’s face while laughing before a pretrial hearing, leading many people online and quickly going viral. Curtis apologized profusely for not realizing cameras were running.
Witnesses testified about Cruz’s disturbing actions and their effect on the community, yet their information was either never taken seriously or only partially implemented; some fearing retaliation or being seen as racists for raising concerns; while others simply didn’t care or consider it worth pursing; this lack of action ultimately contributed to Cruz not receiving the death penalty.