In a landmark legal settlement, Anthony Borges, the most severely wounded survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting massacre in Florida, has gained ownership of the name of the shooter, Nikolas Cruz. This settlement, reached in June 2024, includes several stringent conditions that aim to prevent Cruz from benefiting from his notoriety.
Ownership of Name: Anthony Borges now owns the rights to Nikolas Cruz's name. This means Cruz cannot participate in any media productions, such as movies, TV shows, or books, without Borges' explicit permission.
Financial Restrictions: Cruz must turn over any money he might receive as a beneficiary of a relative's life insurance policy. Additionally, any funds placed in his prison commissary account will be seized to pay restitution to the victims and their families.
Scientific Participation: Cruz is required to participate in scientific studies of mass shooters and donate his body to science after his death.
Media Silence: Cruz is prohibited from giving interviews or cooperating with any media productions without Borges' consent.
Anthony Borges, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, was shot five times in the back and legs. Despite his severe injuries, Borges survived, although he has since undergone numerous surgeries and continues to live with chronic pain. Borges, along with the families of the victims and other survivors, has also filed lawsuits against former Broward County sheriff's deputy Scot Peterson, the sheriff's office, and two former school security guards, alleging they failed to protect the students and staff.
Florida law already prohibits inmates from profiting from their crimes, including any proceeds from writings or artwork produced in prison. Judge Elizabeth Scherer, who sentenced Cruz, ordered that any money placed in his prison commissary account be seized to cover restitution and court costs. Despite these measures, Borges' attorney, Alex Arreaza, expressed concerns that Cruz could find ways to circumvent these laws, which led to the additional stipulations in the settlement.
The settlement reached by Anthony Borges is a significant step in ensuring that perpetrators of heinous crimes cannot exploit their actions for financial gain or notoriety. By securing ownership of Nikolas Cruz's name and imposing strict conditions on any potential earnings, this settlement serves as a powerful deterrent against future attempts to profit from criminal activities.Moreover, the requirement for Cruz to participate in scientific studies and donate his body to science underscores the importance of understanding the psychological and sociological factors that contribute to such tragic events.
This knowledge can be instrumental in developing preventive measures and policies to protect our communities.The ongoing lawsuits against the Broward County sheriff's office and other security personnel highlight the critical need for accountability and the duty of care owed to students and staff in educational institutions. As these cases progress, they will likely set important legal precedents for the responsibilities of law enforcement and security personnel in preventing and responding to school shootings.
The settlement achieved by Anthony Borges is a landmark in the fight for justice and accountability in the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting. It not only provides a measure of control and restitution for Borges but also serves as a broader warning against the exploitation of criminal notoriety. As the legal battles continue, the focus remains on ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future and that survivors and victims' families receive the justice they deserve.
Source:
https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2024/06/29/parkland-school-shooter-lawsuit-settlement
