<P> Cruz was placed on suicide watch in an isolation cell (solitary confinement) after the arraignment . </P> <P> Lead defense counsel Gordon Weekes asked Judge Elizabeth Scherer to recuse herself, claiming that her previous comments and rulings showed favoritism toward prosecutors, which prevented Cruz from receiving a fair trial . She disagreed and declined the request on February 26 . </P> <P> On March 7, Cruz was indicted by a grand jury on 34 charges: 17 counts of first - degree murder and 17 counts of attempted first - degree murder . He was arraigned on March 13, and the prosecution filed notice of their intent to seek the death penalty . They said they can prove five of the aggravating factors that qualify a murder for the death penalty in Florida . Cruz declined to enter a plea, so Judge Scherer entered "not guilty" on his behalf . The defense had earlier offered a guilty plea if the death penalty was taken off the table, and reiterated it immediately before it was refused . </P> <P> The school district provided grief counseling to students and their families . Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the fees of funerals and counseling would be paid for by the state . </P>

When does marjory stoneman douglas high school start