Sentencing for Matanzas student charged in teacher's aide attack set for August

The sentencing for the student in the viral video attack of a teacher’s aide at Matanzas High School will not resume until later this summer, according to court records.

The sentencing for Brendan Depa began May 1 but only the prosecution completed its presentation by 5 p.m. Circuit Judge Terence Perkins said a new date would be set to complete the sentencing in May.

But court records Wednesday show it won't resume until Aug. 6.

Depa, 18, has pleaded no contest to a charge of aggravated battery on a school board employee. The charge carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, although he is unlikely to receive that much time.

Depa attacked Joan Naydich on Feb. 21, 2023, as she walked along a hallway. She had just left a room where she said Depa had called her names and spit on her.

Security videos played at the sentencing showed Depa running down a hallway and knocking Naydich off her feet. Once she hits the floor, Depa starts to kick and punch her until he is pulled away from her.

Depa has been diagnosed with disorders including intermittent explosive disorder and autism.

Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark completed presenting the prosecution's case May 1.

Depa’s defense attorney, Kurt Teifke, will present his case next.

'That's a long way out'

Depa’s mother, Leanne Depa, who adopted him at a young age, said in a phone interview that she had not heard yet of the new date.

“That’s a long way out,” she said.

But she said it wasn’t a surprise.

“They were having a difficult time of coordinating everybody’s schedule,” she said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Brendan Depa's aggravated battery sentencing won't resume until August