Boy Takes the Stand in Teacher Killing
May 8 -- Nathaniel Brazill, the 14-year-old charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his teacher, took the stand in his own defense today in a West Palm Beach courtroom.
"Are you a psycho?" defense attorney Robert Udell asked Brazill.
"No," the boy said.
Showing little emotion, Brazill continued to answer "no" when his lawyer asked him if he was demented and a cold-blooded killer. Brazill also said he did not mean to harm his teacher.
Brazill was 13 when he was charged last year with shooting language arts teacher Barry Grunow in the face just a few minutes before school let out for the summer on May 26, 2000. Earlier that day, Brazill had been sent home for throwing a water balloon.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Brazill faces life in prison without parole, the mandatory sentence possible for the charge. Brazill also could be found guilty of second-degree murder or manslaughter. Those charges carry lighter sentences.
His family rejected a plea deal of 25 years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea to second-degree murder.
He Wanted to Protect the President
Wearing a navy blue tie and sweater with a white-collared shirt peeking out, Brazill told the jury about his interest in the military and law enforcement. Inspired by movies such as Air Force One, he said, Brazill had written a letter to the White House saying he wanted to join the Secret Service.
Brazill said he was doing well in most of his classes, although he did receive a couple of "D" grades and an "F" from Grunow. Despite the bad grade, Brazill said he liked Grunow.
"He was a nice guy, a good teacher," Brazill said. "He madehis class fun."
Brazill found the semiautomatic pistol he used to shoot Grunow in a cookie tin in his grandfather's bedroom dresser, he testified. He took the gun and all five bullets because he was going on a hunting trip with his uncle that summer.
Brazill admits shooting the teacher, but claims it was an accident. Prosecutors, who argue Brazill intentionally killed Grunow, rested earlier today.
Related Stories
ABC News Live