An Iraq war vet accused of killing five people in a shooting spree at a Florida airport appeared in court Monday to face federal charges that carry the death penalty, reports AFP.
Esteban Santiago, 26, who had told the FBI two months before the shooting that he was hearing voices, was brought before federal judge Alicia Valle in Fort Lauderdale in handcuffs and wearing a red prison jumpsuit.
He mumbled "morning" to the judge who then read him his rights, explained the next steps in the process and appointed a defense lawyer to represent him.
"You committed various offenses, which are performing an act of violence at an airport causing bodily injury; using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence; and causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm," Valle said.The charges carry a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.