Fast Start to Jury Selection at Trial of Former Deputy Accused of Failing to Confront Parkland Shooter

Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School School Resource Officer Scot Peterson (L), standing with his defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh, looks towards the courtroom gallery as prospective jurors enter at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on May 31, 2023. Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—Jury selection in the trial of a former sheriff’s deputy charged with failing to confront the killer of 14 students and three staff members at a Florida high school five years ago got off to a speedy start Wednesday, with the preliminary round concluding in just one day.

Circuit Judge Martin Fein had tentatively scheduled three days of preliminary jury selection, seeking 50 candidates whose schedules and employment would allow possibly two months of service at the trial of former Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson.