Suspected FSU campus shooter chooses to ‘stand mute’ in plea filed Thursday
According to Florida’s Rules of Criminal Procedure, “if a defendant stands mute, or pleads evasively, a plea of not guilty shall be entered”
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - A plea was submitted Thursday for the suspected Florida State University gunman in connection to the deadly campus shooting in April, according to court records.
Phoenix Ikner’s plea was a nontraditional one, with court documents revealing that the 20-year-old chose to “stand mute,” and also waived his arraignment and right to a speedy trial.
According to Florida’s Rules of Criminal Procedure, “if a defendant stands mute, or pleads evasively, a plea of not guilty shall be entered.”
Multiple killed, injured after shooting at Florida State University:
The plea comes after the 20-year-old was indicted three weeks ago on two first-degree murder charges and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life in prison.
In May, State Attorney Jack Campbell told WCTV that he intended to file the proper paperwork to seek the death penalty for Ikner.
Ikner is accused of opening fire near the FSU Student Union on April 17, claiming two lives and leaving six others injured, including himself.
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