A 17-year-old student captured on video punching a teaching assistant at a Central Florida high school is due back in court on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in February 2023 at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast and was captured on the school’s surveillance camera.
Investigators have charged Brendan Depa with aggravated assault.
PREVIOUS: Sentencing hearing for student accused of punching local teaching assistant continues
In October, Depa admitted that he had not contested these charges.
Lawyers for Depa, who they say is autistic, claimed the teenager misbehaved because the assistant took his Nintendo Switch video game console. They argued she should have been more aware of his disabilities and behavioral issues.
PREVIOUS: Flagler County Student Accused of Assaulting School Staffer After She Confiscated His Nintendo Switch
Her assistant, Joan Naydich, said at an earlier court hearing that the incident changed her life forever.
Naydich said that in addition to mental trauma, she also suffered “a concussion, hearing loss, vision loss, rotator cuff problems, broken ribs and a hernia.”
Depa was charged as an adult and faces up to 30 years in prison.
Channel 9’s Demie Johnson will be in court this morning for the sentencing hearing.
Stay up to date on this story via WFTV.com and Eyewitness News.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
