Florida Teen Who Beat Teacher Over Nintendo Switch Sentenced To Five Years In Prison

As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from epic victories to crushing defeats, from friendly banter to heated arguments, and even virtual friendships that have lasted a lifetime. However, nothing could prepare me for the shocking news about Brendan Depa, a fellow gamer who took his love for gaming to a horrifying extreme.


Eighteen-year-old Brendan Depa was given a five-year prison term in a state facility this Tuesday, due to his violent attack on a high school teaching assistant over a Nintendo Switch. This event took place on February 21, 2023, at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, Florida, and was recorded on video before being widely publicized. Upon completion of his prison sentence, Depa will be subject to fifteen years of probation, as reported by Daytona Beach News-Journal.

As a 17-year-old gamer back then, I found myself losing my cool during an argument over a gaming console. A video footage captured me physically attacking Joan Naydich in our school corridor, shoving her to the floor, and continuously kicking and punching her, which is something I deeply regret now.

In addition to the senseless physical assault, there were repeated verbal attacks with vulgar language directed at Ms. Naydich, Judge Terence Perkins noted, emphasizing Depa’s lack of regret. He chased her through the hallway, violently shoving her from behind, causing her to soar through the air and fall unconscious upon hitting the floor. Subsequently, he continued to kick her, then jumped on top of her, delivering more than 15 blows to her head and body.

In their argument, it was suggested that Depa’s diagnosis on the autism spectrum and his mother’s criticism of the sentence should both be taken into account. Leanne Depa contended that the sentence was tainted by racial and disability prejudices, and accused the school of failing to adequately address her son’s disabilities.

As a passionate supporter, I echo Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark’s call for a severe penalty, expressing my belief that the offender nearly took a woman’s life, and as such, he must bear the consequences of his actions. Naydich, who grapples with PTSD and other long-term repercussions from the attack, poignantly highlighted the profound personal and professional impacts this incident has had on him.

In this situation, Depa can challenge the verdict, yet they are mandated to avoid any interaction with Naydich. Additionally, they must maintain a distance of 500 feet from both her residence and workplace.

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2024-08-09 16:09