A student in Florida named Brendan Depa was caught on tape hitting a teacher’s aide. He wrote an unread apology before he was given a five-year prison sentence.
The judge said Depa had never shown regret, but in his letter of apology, he did.
In February 2023, Depa, an 18-year-old with autism, ADHD, and a mood problem, was caught on surveillance video beating teacher’s aide Joan Naydich. Naydich got five broken ribs, a severe concussion, and lost her hearing.
Before giving Depa his sentence, the judge told him, “Mr. Depa has never expressed even a single bit of remorse before this court in any of our many court proceedings, not once concerning remorse.” CourtTV film shows Depa trying to hold up his letter of apology, but it looks like no one is paying attention to him.
Brendan Depa’s teacher, Gene Lopes, gave the message to Ashleigh Banfield of NewsNation.
Lopes said on “Banfield” that he would have Brendan in his house right away. The things I’ve done have all worked. He agrees with this. “He has been a blessing to me.”
The father of Brendan Depa, Leanne Depa, told NewsNation that she has received letters from a hospital and a group home that are “willing to accept him” instead of sending him to jail.
Leanne Depa said on NewsNation’s “Banfield” that she didn’t think he understood what he was going through.