![]() 15, Nikolas’ brother, Zachary, was not yet 18 - and therefore would not be able to act as personal representative for the estate. Simovitch’s motion however, is confusing in that it claims that at the time she filed the emergency petition on Feb. Deschamps nevertheless has indicated she still wants the public defender to represent Cruz, Simovitch claims in her March 6 motion. 15 in which she accused the public defender’s office of misconduct. She has also “refused to provide the registration or title to a 2015 Kia” believed to be one of the assets to Cruz’s mother’s estate, according to the motion.ĭeschamps, who could not be reached for comment, filed an emergency petition on Feb. Simovitch alleges that Deschamps will not allow her to visit Cruz at the Broward County Jail unless Deschamps is present. That would help determine whether he is eligible for a public defender or must hire private counsel at his own cost. 20 authorizing Simovitch to work with the public defender - by providing copies of applicable documents and answering all questions about the estate. ![]() Nikolas Cruz, who is 19, signed a letter on Feb. It said Deschamps has in recent days worked against Simovitch in the lawyer’s effort to find out what the estate is worth and to share that information with the court and public defender. Simovitch, in Tuesday’s motion, details what she calls a litany of “red flags” that the court should consider alarming about Deschamps. A hearing scheduled in probate court was abruptly canceled last week, and Simovitch filed a motion alleging that Deschamps was trying to obfuscate various matters concerning the estate, court records show. He and his brother also authorized Simovitch to continue acting as their attorney.īut then things changed. 23 asking that Zachary and Deschamps be appointed as co-representatives to administer his mother’s estate. ![]() His brother, Zachary, 18, lives with Deschamps in Lantana. Since the tragedy, Cruz has been represented by the Broward County Public Defender’s Office. Nikolas, 19, walked into the school armed with a semi-automatic rifle and began randomly firing into classrooms, killing 14 students and three educators. 14 shooting rampage at Majorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Simovitch was retained by Nikolas as the probate attorney for the estate of his mother, Lynda Cruz, on Feb. Simovitch is asking the court to appoint an independent personal representative. MIAMI - A court squabble has erupted over the handling of Nikolas Cruz’s inheritance from his late mother - a fight that could determine whether the accused school shooter is entitled to be free representation from a public defender or must hire a private lawyer.īoca Raton attorney Audra Simovitch filed an amended petition in Broward County probate court this week, alleging that Rocxanne Deschamps, a friend of Cruz’s mother who cared for Cruz and his younger brother after their mother died, should not be appointed to represent the estate. ![]()
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