Verdict Reached In Brazill Trial

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 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