Parkland shooting victim’s dad outraged about suspect registering to vote

The controversial issue of non-felons' voting right was sparked online recently. The public found out Broward county registered Nicolas Cruz to vote.

Cruz, 20, is accused of killing 17 people in February, but there is little doubt about his guilt. As such, it was shocking to hear that the accused could vote.

The families of those killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were especially appalled. Andrew Pollack took to Twitter to express his outrage.

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He said:

"I'm sick to my stomach. 18-1958 (Cruz's prison number) murdered 17 students & staff, including my daughter Meadow. Yet in July, Broward Sheriff @ScottJIsrael let people into the jail to get him & other animals registered to vote. The Despicable Democrats have no shame. Can't let them steal this election."

Contrary to Pollack's implication, Cruz registered as a Republican. Hence, it's unlikely he would vote for the opposing party.

Yet, the simple fact that the accused mass murderer, of children no less, might be able to vote from prison disgusted many.

Dana Loesch, the spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, also tweeted. She said: "Oh my gosh. I don't even have the words for this."

According to the Western Journal, citizens are allowed to vote legally until they receive a conviction for their crime.

But as Broward Commissioner Micahel Udine pointed out, "it doesn't negate the pain and the hurt when the people of northwest Broward who were affected by this monster see something like this."

In the comments, persons went back and forth with the controversial matter. Many pointed out that the rule was upheld nationwide.

Veda Coleman-Wright, the spokeswoman for Broward Sheriff's Office, explained:

"Inmates being registered to vote is nothing new. It doesn’t have anything to do with the sheriff. Taking away the voting rights of an eligible person awaiting trial is illegal."

After registration, the process requires that absentee ballots be mailed to the jail. After the votes, the ballots are then forwarded back to the supervisor's office.

Currently, it's not known whether Cruz did vote. Regardless, Udine's words still stand on an emotional level. Quite simply,

“It’s just outrageous and so hurtful to the victims and the families of the Parkland massacre to see this."

Back in July, something else came to light about the Parkland shooter.

As a teen, Cruz received services from the Henderson Behavior Health organization in Broward County. By the time he reached 18, however, Cruz denied help.

Bob Gualtieri, chair of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, said "he fell off the grid. He fell off the radar."

Gualtieri and others realized Cruz was another case of someone who posed a risk due to mental health issues. And he was not sufficiently tracked by the relevant authorities.

What's more disturbing is even after his arrest, the alleged mass murderer went on to acquire fans even as he sits in prison.

From since March 2018, it was revealed that Cruz was receiving a number of fan letters. But it's not just mere letters, he also got money sent to him, and pictures of an explicit sexual nature.

Cruz's lawyer said this happened with other criminals he has worked with, but not nearly as much. The letters worshiped Cruz and offered support. Many came from teenage girls who said they connected with him.

Fortunately, the Broward County Jail staff analyses each letter and most don't make it through. Those that do merely send prayers for the accused killer's soul.