A 6'6" Florida teenager has apologized after being sentenced to five years in prison for violently attacking a teaching assistant who confiscated his Nintendo Switch, reported by the Daily Mail.

Brendan Depa, who was 17 at the time of the February 2023 incident at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, left 59-year-old Joan Naydich with serious injuries, including concussion, hearing loss, and broken ribs. The assault was captured on surveillance video and

In a letter shared by his current tutor, Depa expressed remorse for his actions: "I deeply regret allowing my emotions to get the best of me and letting things happen the way that they did." He added that he has chosen to let the incident strengthen rather than destroy or define him.

The apology comes after Judge Terence Perkins noted during sentencing that he had not heard any words of remorse from the 270-pound teen.

Details Of The Violent Classroom Incident

The attack occurred when Naydich asked a teacher to take away Depa's Nintendo Switch, which he had been playing with in class. Enraged by this, Depa verbally abused Naydich, calling her derogatory names before following her out of the classroom and launching a brutal physical assault.

Surveillance footage showed Naydich being knocked unconscious by Depa's initial attack. However, the enraged student continued to punch her in the head and back approximately 15 more times as she lay motionless on the floor. The severity and duration of the beating shocked those who viewed the video evidence.

Naydich suffered extensive injuries from the assault, including concussion, hearing loss, vision problems, and five broken ribs. She has stated that many of her injuries, particularly internal ones, will likely affect her for the rest of her life.

Victim Impact And Sentencing Details

During the sentencing hearing, Naydich advocated for Depa to receive the maximum possible sentence of 30 years. She described how the attack had devastated her life, causing her to lose her job of nearly two decades, along with her financial security and health insurance.

Naydich told the court:

Every day is a challenge. I have lived every day since with the repercussions of it, the assault of it, whether it be hearing loss that I have, vision loss, headaches. Unfortunately, a lot of my injuries that are not visible I'm going to have for the rest of my life.

Despite Naydich's plea for the maximum sentence, Judge Perkins ultimately sentenced Depa to five years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised probation. The judge cited the brutality captured in the surveillance video as a key factor in his decision.

Defense Arguments And Family Response

Depa's defense team attempted to argue that the attack was a manifestation of his autism, claiming that Naydich had failed to properly address his unique needs.

His adoptive mother, Leann Depa, testified that she had warned the school about her son's various triggers, including having electronics taken away.

After the sentencing, Leann Depa described the verdict as a "death sentence" for her son. She expressed concern about his well-being in prison, telling reporters that he was scared and had called her crying, saying he didn't want to die.

Depa's attorneys have filed a separate lawsuit against the school district for negligence, describing their client as a "ticking time bomb" whose needs were not adequately addressed by staff.

Lessons to Learn from This Tragedy

1. Recognize warning signs and triggers in individuals with mental health challenges.
2. Enhanced security and staff training in de-escalation techniques could prevent such tragedies.
3. Provision of mental health resources can aid in preventing similar incidents.

It’s crucial to understand that while preventative measures can reduce risks, crime can happen to anyone, and victims should never be blamed.

Why This Story Matters

This incident casts a spotlight on the intersection of mental health, educational policies, and criminal justice. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies that address mental health care within school systems, ensuring safe environments for both students and staff. Furthermore, it calls into question the adequacy of responses to known behavioral triggers in educational settings.

Conclusion

The case has drawn attention to issues of school safety, proper handling of students with special needs, and the complexities of juvenile justice. Depa's apology letter indicates he has been learning coping skills during his incarceration to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, Naydich continues to deal with the long-term physical and emotional effects of the attack. The incident has sparked discussions about balancing accountability with appropriate interventions for students with behavioral challenges in educational settings.