LogFAQs > #977251361

https://tinyurl.com/2fp6ebc6

in a nutshell, teacher took the student's switch from him because he was being disruptive and then he beat the living hell out of her because of that.

(WARNING: the video in the link is very disturbing)

Student Brendan Depa pleads no contest in viral video beating of Matanzas teacher's aide

Brendan Depa, the ex-student accused of beating a teacher's aide at Matanzas High School in an attack that was captured on a viral video, entered an open no-contest plea at a hearing Monday.

Depa entered the open plea on the charge of aggravated battery on a school board employee, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Circuit Judge Terence Perkins presided over the hearing at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell.

Depa, with his hands cuffed and wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, both of which are routine for inmates at the county jail, stood before the judge.

Perkins asked Depa how he pleaded to the charge.

"No contest," Depa said.

Perkins then set the sentencing hearing for Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m.

The open plea to the court means Depa's defense attorney has not reached any agreement with prosecutors on the possible sentence.

According to state sentencing guidelines, Depa faces a minimum of 34.5 months in state prison.

But Depa's defense attorneys could argue for a "downward departure" and ask the judge to sentence him to less time than the minimum. The judge is not obligated to sentence him to the lesser time.

Depa attacked paraprofessional Joan Naydich on Feb. 21, a beating that was caught on a school security video that went viral and drew international attention.

Depa, 18, is being held at the Flagler County jail on $1 million bond.

Depa stood next to his defense attorney, Kurt Teifke, as Perkins asked him routine questions before accepting the plea. One of those questions was whether he had read the plea. Depa said no.

Perkins told Depa to take a few minutes to read the plea. Depa's attorney said they had gone over the plea already but he sat down with Depa for him to review the plea.

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In a text message, Naydich wrote she will attend Depa's sentencing.

"The only thing I will say is that on Feb. 21, 2023, he changed my life forever," Naydich wrote. "I hope he is sentenced to the furthest extent of the law.

"Even though we are at this stage of the case I have no closure as of now as every day I face challenges that was brought on by his actions," Naydich wrote. "I do get to wake up every morning, even though he wanted me dead, and try to get through my day. All kinds of set backs including financially, and medically. It's been very challenging for my kids and I."

A GoFundMe account was established for Naydich soon after the attack and, as of Tuesday, it has raised $104,507 toward a goal of $110,000.