In Florida, most especially South Florida Cruz is considered sane. Insanity as a defense to murder can be raised, after the accused admits to the murder(s), which Cruz has already done.
South Florida criminal juries are very reluctant to accept insanity defenses. Insanity under Florida criminal law, means that due to a mental infirmity, disease or defect the accused did not know what he/she was doing or its consequences, or, although he/she knew what he/she was doing, but did not know it was wrong. Cruz knew what he was doing was wrong and escaped to conceal his actions. he knew he’d be facing death row.
In Florida criminal courts (Fort Lauderdale, W. Palm Beach and Miami) there is a presumption of sanity.
That means an accused murderer has the burden of proving the defense of insanity. The standard of proof is by clear and convincing evidence. Clear and convincing evidence is evidence that is precise, explicit, lacking in confusion, and of such weight that it produces a firm belief, without hesitation, about the matter or defense raised. Unrestrained passion or ungovernable temper is not insanity.
Cruz premeditated his desire to be a school shooter for at least 9 months, if not longer. He did broadcast this to his family, school mates, neighbors and to the world wide web. He might as well as taken out a billboard declaring his intentions to be a massive casualty sniper- school shooter. The Texas Tower shooter was his initial inspiration.
Evil must end, the sooner, the better.
What if he changes his plea? Forget insanity. He can change his plea .. What then?