Nikolas Cruz is going to spend his life behind bars, and as things stand he might face the death penalty.

Yesterday the man behind the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, which left 17 dead, was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder.

His victims included 14 students and three school employees, and prosecutors have not yet announced whether they plan to seek the death penalty.

So what is his life like at the moment, locked up inside the confines of Broward County Jail? CNN obtained observation reports from February 17 to 24, and they provide a glimpse into how he spends his time.

Off we go:

Throughout the week, Cruz was segregated from other inmates due to his high-profile status. He started in the infirmary and was transferred to a different cell on February 23.

On February 24, a deputy noted that Cruz had a visit with an unidentified family member. Jail visitation logs indicate that his younger brother visited him on the 22nd and 24th, along with Rocxanne Deschamps, who took the boys in after their mother died.

Deputies outlined Cruz’s movements and interactions in brief one-liners and checked boxes throughout their shifts…

Some of what they noted, along with the date:

February 18 – Still in isolation, Cruz drank juice and refused a meal in the morning, one deputy said.

Another deputy described Cruz as “lying on his back staring at the ceiling.” His reactions were “calm” and “slow” when a doctor or nurse asked him questions.

February 19 – Another deputy noted that Cruz did not make eye contact and “often sits with a blank stare, appears to be in thought.”

He cooperated with verbal orders and was “guarded” when questioned by medical staff. “Speech is slow and sometimes slurred,” the deputy noted.

February 21 – “Ate very little of his food … slept most of the time. However, appeared restless for part of night.”

…another deputy described him as restless, “tossing and turning while laying down.”

Hours later, another deputy described Cruz at 2:48 a.m. as “restless” and “tossing from time to time.”

“Restless, tossing from time to time his bunk, staring at ceiling,” a deputy wrote in a report logged at 11:20 a.m.

Well, I find it good to know that this creep is losing a little sleep over the whole thing.

February 23 – The next day, Cruz was moved to another unit…

He ate all of his lunch and refused to come out of his cell for recreational time.

While speaking to his attorneys, he appeared to be “coherent,” a deputy said. “Inmate was also observed smiling and giggling.”

February 24 – He requested to read a Bible before another restless night of sleep, another deputy said.

Yeah, not sure that’s going to cut it Nikolas.

His lawyers are certainly giving it their all, with this via the Independent:

The suspected shooter’s lawyers have described him as a troubled and “broken” young man and have argued the system failed him, noting that his behaviour repeatedly drew the attention of authorities…

Mr Cruz’s public defender has said his client would be willing to plead guilty to avoid execution.

I’m no expert on prison life, but I imagine he wouldn’t be too popular with the other inmates.

No wonder he doesn’t want to leave his cell for recreational time.

[sources:cnn&independent]