Florida Teen Who Beat Teacher Over Nintendo Switch Sentenced To Five Years In Prison

Brendan Depa, 18, was sentenced to five years in state prison on Tuesday for “brutally” beating a high school teaching assistant over a Nintendo Switch. The incident, which occurred on February 21, 2023, at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, Florida, was captured on video and widely reported. Depa will also serve 15 years of

Brendan Depa, 18, was sentenced to five years in state prison on Tuesday for “brutally” beating a high school teaching assistant over a Nintendo Switch. The incident, which occurred on February 21, 2023, at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, Florida, was captured on video and widely reported. Depa will also serve 15 years of probation following his release, as reported by Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Depa, then 17, attacked Joan Naydich after an altercation involving the gaming console. The video shows Depa assaulting Naydich in a school hallway, pushing her to the ground, and repeatedly kicking and punching her.

“Compounding the senseless physical violence was the screaming of obscenities, spitting on Ms. Naydich both before and during the incident,” Circuit Judge Terence Perkins said, also highlighting Depa’s lack of remorse. “He pursued her down the hallway, pushed her so violently from behind that she flew through the air and was knocked unconscious when she landed on the hallway floor. He then proceeded to kick her, then jump on top of her, striking her in the head and body more than 15 times.”

Depa’s defense argued that his autism spectrum disorder and his mother’s criticisms of the sentence should be considered. Leanne Depa claimed that the sentence was influenced by racial and disability biases and criticized the school for not managing her son’s disabilities properly.

Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark argued for a substantial punishment, stating, “He almost killed a woman. He should be punished for that.” Naydich, who suffers from PTSD and other long-term impacts, noted the significant personal and professional consequences of the attack.

Depa has the right to appeal the sentence but is ordered to have no contact with Naydich and to remain 500 feet away from her home and workplace.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Family of missing Tennessee mom and her two-year-old daughter reveal haunting new leads in 20-year-old cold case: ‘Everything I told you was a lie’
Read More

Family of missing Tennessee mom and her two-year-old daughter reveal haunting new leads in 20-year-old cold case: ‘Everything I told you was a lie’

Over two decades after a Tennessee mom and her two-year-old daughter vanished without a trace, her family believe they are finally on the cusp of cracking the case. Jennifer Wix, 21, was living with her boyfriend Joey Benton and his parents in Robertson County at the time of her disappearance in March 2004.  Joey is
Heartbreak as Vietnam veteran, 82, with incredible work ethic says he can’t afford to retire from janitor job at Las Vegas McDonald’s
Read More

Heartbreak as Vietnam veteran, 82, with incredible work ethic says he can’t afford to retire from janitor job at Las Vegas McDonald’s

An 82-year-old McDonald's worker who is a Vietnam veteran is unable quit his job because he cannot afford to retire.  Edward Eubanks has worked at the Henderson McDonald's - just outside of Las Vegas - since 2009, where he keeps the dining room in tip-top shape by cleaning the tables, stocking the drink station and