Parkland school shooter’s sister wants to testify in his trial. But she’s in jail, too

While his sister sits in a Miami-Dade jail on a carjacking charge, her upcoming trial could be complicated by his.

Danielle Woodard wants a judge to let her withdraw from her case because she doesn't want to testify in her brother's defense.

Fred Moldovan, who is representing her with Richard Mirsky, told the Herald that they don't think it will help her case.

The trial for Woodard will take place in Miami-Dade. A hearing date has not been set for the judge to consider the request.

The case of Cruz is expected to begin later this month. Cruz grew up without contact with his birth mother or sister, who was in prison at the time of the massacre, according to the Herald.

The timing and details of her potential testimony are not known. Woodard was able to tell jurors about their mother's drug use. Cruz will argue that he suffered brain damage from her drugs and alcohol when he was a baby. The defense attorneys could point to Woodward's criminal history to bolster their argument.

Cruz had a video chat with his mother before she died of cancer, according to the Daily Mail.

Cruz admitted to killing 14 students and three staff members at the high school. He admitted to wounding 17 other people.

The sentencing phase of his trial started on July 18. Cruz will either be sentenced to death for the murders or life in prison.

The case is expected to be finished this week. Cruz's defense team is hoping to sway jurors to vote against the death penalty.

Danielle spent years in and out of jail. She was in a Florida prison at the time of the massacre, serving an eight-year sentence for attempted felony murder, fleeing and eluding, credit-card fraud and resisting arrest with violence. She had previously spent five years in prison for a different set of felonies.

State records show that Woodward left a Florida prison in the summer of 2019. She was arrested again in January 2020.

Police said she carjacked an elderly woman at a Goodwill in Miami Gardens. Woodard injured a woman's arm and head when he jumped in the car and tried to drive away. The man who tried to stop the car was hurt when he fell away.

Woodard was arrested after crashing the stolen car. Since then, she has been in a Miami-Dade jail.

In a request to the court, her Miami lawyers said they were not in agreement about her brother's case.

Her testimony could hurt her case because prosecutors could ask her about the pending case.

Her testimony is unlikely to affect the verdict of the case. I don't think it's worthwhile.

Her lawyers said in their motion to the court that there was anirreconcilable difference and that it was difficult to communicate with each other. They don't want them on the case because Woodard hasn't paid them.