On February 21, 2023, 18-year-old Brendan Depa was sentenced to five years in state prison for brutally attacking a high school teaching assistant over a Nintendo Switch. The incident, which took place at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, Florida, was captured on video and garnered widespread attention. In addition to his prison time, Depa will also serve 15 years of probation upon his release.
The video of the assault shows Depa pushing the teaching assistant, Joan Naydich, to the ground in a school hallway. He then proceeded to repeatedly kick and punch her while yelling obscenities and spitting on her. Circuit Judge Terence Perkins highlighted the brutal nature of the attack, emphasizing the lack of remorse shown by Depa. Naydich was knocked unconscious when Depa violently pushed her from behind, leading to further physical harm as he kicked, punched, and jumped on top of her more than 15 times.
Depa’s defense argued that his autism spectrum disorder and his mother’s criticisms of the sentence should be taken into consideration. His mother, Leanne Depa, claimed that racial and disability biases influenced the sentencing and criticized the school for not properly managing her son’s disabilities. On the other hand, Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark pushed for a significant punishment, stating that Depa’s actions were nearly fatal and warranted appropriate consequences.
Joan Naydich, the victim of the assault, disclosed the long-term impacts of the attack, including suffering from PTSD and other personal and professional consequences. The severity of the incident has left a lasting impact on Naydich’s life, underscoring the need for justice to be served. Depa, while having the option to appeal the sentence, is ordered to maintain a distance of 500 feet from Naydich’s home and workplace and have no contact with her.
Ultimately, the sentencing of Brendan Depa for the violent assault over a Nintendo Switch serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of actions driven by aggression and lack of remorse. The case highlights the importance of accountability, especially when it comes to protecting individuals from harm within school environments.
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