Florida teen who punched teacher over Nintendo Switch sentenced to five years in prison

Brendan Depa, 18, was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for “brutally” beating a high school teaching assistant over a Nintendo Switch. The incident, which occurred on Feb. 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 after his release, as reported by the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

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

“The senseless physical assault was compounded by the shouting of obscenities and spitting on Ms Naydich both before and during the incident,” said Judge Terence Perkins, who also highlighted Depa’s lack of remorse. “He chased her down the corridor, pushing her from behind with such force that she flew through the air and was knocked unconscious when she landed on the corridor floor. He then began kicking her, jumping on her and punching her more than 15 times to the head and body.”

Depa’s defense argued that his autism spectrum disorder and his mother’s criticism of the punishment should be taken into account. Leanne Depa claimed the punishment was influenced by racial and disability bias and criticized the school for failing to properly address her son’s disabilities.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Clark argued for a substantial sentence, saying, “He almost killed a woman. He should be punished for that.” Naydich, who suffers from PTSD and other long-term effects, noted the significant personal and professional impact of the attack.

Depa has the right to appeal the sentence, but is not allowed to have any contact with Naydich and may not stay more than 150 metres from her home and workplace.