Brazill Apologizes to Teacher's Family

July 26, 2001 -- Facing a life sentence, 14-year-old Nathaniel Brazill apologized in court today to the family of the English teacher he killed last year, and insisted he never intended to harm him.

"Words cannot really explain how sorry I am, but that's all I have," said Brazill, breathing heavily but remaining stoic as he read a prepared statement at his sentencing hearing in a West Palm Beach, Fla., courthouse.

Brazill took the stand after members of his own family pleaded for leniency from Circuit Court Judge Richard Wennet, and relatives of slain teacher Barry Grunow asked the judge to give the boy life in prison.

"I am sorry for the pain I have caused the Grunow family," he said. "I have been thinking about how his children will be when they're my age. … As I look back on that day, I wish it had never happened and wish I could bring Mr. Grunow back.

"Regardless of what has been said, I never intended to hurt Mr. Grunow," Brazill said.

Brazill's fate now rests with Wennet, who must sentence the boy for second-degree murder in Grunow's shooting death last year. Wennet said he will announce his decision on Friday.

No matter what happens, Brazill will be at least 39 before he is able to leave prison. Convicted on May 16, he faces at least 25 years in prison under Florida's 10-20-to life law. Under the measure, a person must serve a minimum 10-year prison sentence if a gun is used in a crime, 20 years if it is fired, and a minimum of 25 years to life if someone is seriously hurt or killed by the gun.

Victim's Family Urges No Mercy

Grunow's mother and two brothers asked Wennet today to give Brazill the stiffest punishment, saying they believe he would pose a danger to society.

"This was not an accident," said Phyllis Grunow, the victim's mother. "I think Nathaniel should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. I don't think any family should have to go through this."

One of Barry Grunow's brothers told Wennet he has to send a message that it is not all right to kill someone, and Brazill has sentenced a mother and two children to life without their husband and father.

"Barry's dead and he will remain that way," said Steven Grunow. "Pam faces life as a widow and does so with two young children."

Pam Grunow, the victim's widow, told the judge she could not recommend a punishment for Brazill because she did not think she could be objective. But she wanted people to know how much her husband meant to her and their two children.

"At home he enjoyed working in his garden and being Daddy," she said. "I hope that as a society we can somehow create good out of this sad loss of a public servant and the great guy that I love. But that will take work and all important things always do."

Parents Beg for Forgiveness, Leniency

Brazill's parents both took the stand today, apologizing to the Grunow family and urged mercy from both them and Judge Wennet. They said they know Brazill must be punished but hoped the Grunow family could forgive their son someday.

"Please have mercy on him," Poly Ann Powell, Brazill's mother, said tearfully. "We know he did something wrong. … We know he must be punished. We know you're hurting. Even though Mr. Grunow is gone, Nate is gone from me now. I just hope that some day you'll be able to forgive him for what he's done."

Nathaniel Brazill Sr. said he still did not know why his son killed Grunow, and said "Nate" still could not tell him why it happened. But he insisted his son was remorseful for the killing, despite prosecutors' claims.

"A lot of people say he has showed no remorse. He's told me he's very sorry for what he did to Mr. Grunow," the elder Brazill said. "We want to let the Grunow family know that we think about them [and] we pray for them."

The first witness called by Brazill's defense testified that the boy was upset before he encountered Grunow on the day of the shooting and was consumed with seeing his first girlfriend.

"All this other stuff was exploding inside of him," said Jacqueline Patterson, deputy superintendent of Milwaukee schools who examined Brazill.

Brazill shot the popular 35-year-old teacher in the head at Lake Worth Middle School on the last day of school last year. Brazill admitted to the killing, but testified during the trial that it was an accident. He insisted he only meant to scare Grunow.

Prosecutors said Brazill, then 13, was angry because he had been suspended that day for throwing a water balloon. They also said he was upset because he was failing Grunow's class, and because the teacher had refused to let him talk to two girls in his classroom.

Brazill left but returned with a silver .25-caliber pistol, and shot Grunow once.

The Maximum Sentence or a Chance at Redemption?

Last month, Wennet decided the 14-year-old was eligible to be sentenced under Florida's 10-20-to life law, despite his young age.

Wennet acknowledged he had heard the debate over whether Brazill is too young to suffer such a harsh sentence, but said his court was not the proper place to debate state law. He said his court must follow the law, not change it.

"The argument of the defendant is that the defendant is too young and that this court should impose its view as a court of policy," Wennet said during last month's hearing. "This is not a court of policy. This court does not make the law."

Prosecutor Marc Schiner today urged Judge Wennet to give Brazill life in prison. Brazill's attorneys said the minimum 25-year sentence would be more appropriate.

Brazill's conviction came two months after another Florida teen, 14-year-old Lionel Tate, was sentenced to life without parole for killing a 6-year-old girl while imitating wrestling moves when he was 12. Last month, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush refused to hear an early clemency request for Tate.

Both cases have been the focus of debate over the treatment of juveniles in the criminal justice system.