(Reuters) – The sentencing hearing for the gunman who pleaded guilty in 2018 to the murder of 17 students at a Parkland high school, Florida was rescheduled by a judge until April.

During the Phase that was originally scheduled for later in this month, jurors will hear from scores witnesses and decide whether Nikolas Cruz (23-years old) should be sentenced to death or to life imprisonment for Florida’s most deadly school shooting.

Cruz was wearing thick glasses and a face mask as he stood in Elizabeth Scherer, Broward Circuit judge’s courtroom. Scherer granted the prosecution’s request that he delay the commencement of what would have been a lengthy process.

The first week in April will be used to select jurors. This is to give lawyers on both sides extra time to prepare witnesses (many of whom are experts in mental-health issues). The judge was asked for information from lawyers about any delays.

Cruz, a 19 year-old student expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in Parkland on February 14, 2018, opened fire on staff and students. He pleaded guilty on October 20,21 to 17 charges of murder and 17 of attempted murder.

Florida law states that Cruz must be executed by a jury. Cruz is sentenced without parole to life in prison if Cruz objects to the recommendation of a judge.

Cruz will be asked by the defense to list the factors that “mitigatingly” affected him. These include his brain damage as a result of his mother’s substance and alcohol abuse in pregnancy, his history with mental disorders and the allegations that he was sexually bullied.