Teen Faces Severe Jail Sentence After Assaulting Teacher Over Nintendo Switch
Teen's violent assault on teacher during a Nintendo Switch dispute may lead to significant prison sentence after court appearance
Article Key Points
Brendan Depa, 18, plead no-contest to aggravated battery charge and faces up to 30 years in prison for assaulting his teacher over a Nintendo Switch dispute.
Depa physically assaulted his teacher, Joan Naydich, following her inquiry into his playing video games during class. In response, he verbally abused her using offensive language and then proceeded to physically attack her once she made her way towards the dean's office.
The court has set Depa's sentencing date for January 31, 2024. Given that he was 17 years old at the time of the incident, his lawyer is advocating for juvenile sanctions. Conversely, Naydich is hopeful that he receives the harshest possible penalty.
Florida teenager Brendan Depa, who ruthlessly attacked a staff member at Matanzas High School after being questioned about playing video games during class, has entered a no-contest plea to the charge of aggravated battery. As a result, Depa now faces the prospect of a significant prison sentence. A verdict for his sentencing is expected in early 2024. The victim, Joan Naydich, initially stated that she had confiscated Depa's Nintendo Switch, but later clarified that she had simply questioned him about his behavior. When confronted, Depa became verbally abusive, causing Naydich to seek assistance from the dean's office. It was during this encounter that Depa physically assaulted her, as outlined in Naydich's subsequent petition for an injunction for protection against the defendant.
Depa appeared in front of Circuit Judge Terence Perkins at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell on Monday, October 30. He pleaded no contest, meaning he accepts any conviction resulting from the case without admitting guilt. The school security camera footage of the incident played a crucial role as evidence during the proceedings. Depa's sentencing is scheduled for January 31, according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Under Florida law, this type of violent felony can carry a range of punishments, from a year in jail for domestic battery to a minimum 15-year prison sentence for aggravated battery, which is typically a second-degree felony. However, Depa is facing up to 30 years in prison because he is charged with first-degree aggravated battery. The length of his sentence will depend on how the judge applies the Florida Statute 775.087, also known as the 10-20-Life law, which grants the courts flexibility in felony sentencing.
Depa is currently facing charges of first-degree aggravated battery, which could result in a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment.
During the Switch-induced incident, Depa repeatedly kicked and punched Naydich while she remained motionless on the floor. In a statement provided to The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Depa's attorney, Kurt Teifke, expressed his ongoing support for juvenile sanctions due to his client's age of 17 during the offense. Teifke commented on Depa's well-being, stating that he is coping as best as possible given the circumstances. Teifke explained that it is challenging for an autistic individual to be confined like this.
Naydich has confirmed her attendance at the January sentencing, with the hope that Depa will receive the maximum punishment under the law. A GoFundMe campaign, initiated by Jessica White Leon, was set up to help cover Naydich's medical expenses resulting from the assault. To date, the campaign has raised over $104,000 from 2,600 generous donations.
