Verdict Reached In Brazill Trial

Sentencing Hearing Set For June

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., 2:56 p.m. EDT May 16, 2001 -- A jury has found a 14-year-old boy guilty of second-degree murder for the shooting death of his middle school English teacher. Nathaniel Brazil as verdict is read

Nathaniel Brazill (pictured, right) was also found guilty of aggravated assault and battery. Brazill showed no emotion as the verdict was read. Prosecutor Marc Shiner said all along that Brazill had intentionally shot his teacher, Barry Grunow (pictured, left). Shiner told jurors in his closing argument that Brazill was "hell-bent on doing murder." Brazill's classmates testified that he had told them he planned to mess up the school.

Defense attorney Robert Udell countered throughout the trial, saying that the shooting had been accidental. In a move that many felt was more damaging to his case than helpful, Brazill took the stand, held the .25 caliber gun that was used in the fatal shooting and calmly said that he had not "intentionally" pulled the trigger. Brazill had turned down a plea deal offered by prosecutors before the trial started. The plea agreement would have seen Brazill pleading guilty to second-degree murder and serving a 25-year sentence. Brazill faces a possible sentence of 25 years to life in prison. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 29. Previous Stories:

May 15, 2001: Jurors To Continue Deliberations Again Tomorrow In Brazill Trial
May 15, 2001: 14-Year-Old Accused Murderer's Fate In Jury's Hands
May 14, 2001: Attorneys Duel In Brazill Trial
May 11, 2001: Brazill's Parents Speak Out About Son's Murder Trial
May 11, 2001: Slain Teacher's Brother Speaks Out
May 10, 2001: Brazill Trial: Attorneys Prepare Closing Arguments
May 9, 2001: Prosecutors Take Aim At Brazill
May 9, 2001: Brazill Faces Cross Examination
May 8, 2001: Experts Disagree About Gun Used In Teacher Shooting
May 8, 2001: Brazill Trial: Protesters Voice Concern; Jurors To See Confession
May 4, 2001: Shooting Video Takes Center Stage In Brazill Trial
May 3, 2001: Jurors Watch Surveillance Video In Brazill Trial
May 2, 2001: Students Tell Court About Day Teacher Was Shot
May 2, 2001: Jury Seated In Teacher Shooting Trial
April 25, 2001: Jury Selection Begins In Teen's Murder Trial
February 28, 2001: Brazill's Letters Released
July 14, 2000: Tape Shows Student Firing At Teacher
June 30, 2000: Videotape Of Teacher's Death Might Be Released
June 23, 2000: Slain Teacher's Wife Agrees Not To Sue
June 13, 2000: Brazill's Parents A No Show In Court
June 13, 2000: Teen A Man In Grand Jury's Eyes
June 12, 2000: Brazill To Appear Before Grand Jury
June 6, 2000: Brazill May Testify Before Grand Jury
June 1, 2000: Nathaniel Brazill's Parents Speak
May 30, 2000: Lake Worth Teacher Remembered

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