A Florida teenager who violently attacked a teacher’s aide in a jolting incident captured on video has been sentenced to five years in prison. Brendan Depa, an 18-year-old from Palm Coast, pleaded no contest to aggravated battery charges over the February 2023 attack at Matanzas High School.
The attack, which sparked outrage nationwide, occurred after Depa reportedly became angry when a teacher’s aide, Joan Naydich, took away his Nintendo Switch. Surveillance footage showed the 6’6″, 270-pound student charging at Naydich and knocking her unconscious, then punching her over and over again. The brutal assault left Naydich in serious condition.
UPDATE: The Florida student who went viral for beating his teacher unconscious has been sentenced to 5 years in state prison PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZXZWQOTB6P
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After the attack, Depa told school resource officers that he would continue to hurt Naydich if she took his game again, and at one point, even threatened to kill her. This was not an isolated incident but rather fit a pattern, because, as was brought out during his trial, Depa had a history of violent incidents.
Despite arguing for clemency due to Depa’s autism and other mental health issues, he was charged as an adult. It was argued by the defense team that he was mentally incompetent to the jury; however, two doctors rendered a verdict that considered him legally competent enough for a trial. The judge has been very clear that having autism doesn’t mean a person is not fit to stand trial.
Ultimately, Depa was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by 15 years of probation. Upon his eventual release, he will be placed in a group home to receive the needed care and supervision after his incarceration.
Indeed, the attack took a huge toll on Joan Naydich both physically and psychologically. The victim had serious physical injuries from the assault, and her life was changed immensely by that incident. Unfortunately, Naydich lost her job and financial balance, proving the extent to which Depa’s actions affected everybody connected to her.
His mother and other well-wishers argued that he needed to be taken for rehabilitation and counseling measures, not imprisonment, saying the young man was battling depression; however, the court ruled that the attack was too serious for any other consideration apart from prison. The judgment typifies the court’s strict view over acts of violence but also foresees a time when Depa needs rehabilitation.
