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American Morning

Trial of 14-Year-Old Accused of Killing Teacher Begins

Aired May 02, 2001 - 09:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Opening statements begin today in the trial of a 14-year-old Florida boy who was charged with killing his teacher.

CNN's Mark Potter is following the story. He joins us from West Palm Beach, Florida, with the latest.

Mark, good morning.

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Opening statements have been under way here for about 40 minutes. The prosecution just finished its presentation, Marc Shiner telling the jury its version of the case involving 14-year-old Nathaniel Brazill. The state argues that Brazill intentionally shot to death his teacher, Barry Grunow, a year ago. He did it because he was angry over being suspended and for receiving a failing grade.

The defense attorneys will talk after the jury. Their position is the shooting was accidental.

This case could last about 2 weeks, and it is attracting national attention.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POTTER (voice-over): On the last day of school last spring, Nathaniel Brazill shot and killed one of his teachers in Lake Worth, Florida. The boy was 13 at the time.

The state says the shooting was intentional, and is trying Nathaniel in adult court on first-degree murder changes. If convicted, he faces a mandatory life prison sentence without parole.

BARRY KRISCHER, PALM BEACH COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY: The impact this crime has had on this community really calls out for a stern response.

POTTER: The defense claims the shooting was accidental and says the boy will testify.

ROBERT UDELL, BRAZILL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: He's going to tell the jury exactly what he told law enforcement three minutes after the event, that this was one of his favorite teachers, that he had no intention of harming Mr. Grunow, and that the gun discharged unintentionally.

POTTER: The victim was 35-year-old Barry Grunow, a popular language arts teacher, who was married and had two children.

Authorities say that shortly before the shooting, Nathaniel was sent home from Lake Worth Community Middle School for throwing water balloons. They say he returned to school carrying this .25-caliber pistol, taken from his grandfather's house.

Outside this classroom, he allegedly confronted Barry Grunow, demanding to see two girls inside the room. Grunow wouldn't allow. Nathaniel then shot Grunow, who died from a wound to the head.

Police say the boy confessed to the shooting, but his attorney says he was unaware he had killed someone.

UDELL: He caused the death of his favorite teacher. He balled like a baby when law enforcement told him Mr. Grunow was dead. He didn't even know.

POTTER: For the prosecution, a critical piece of evidence is a videotape of the actual shooting, shot by a school security camera. But the defense argues the tape cannot prove whether the shooting was intentional or accidental.

At the middle school, a hallway memorial honors the life of Barry Grunow, and a black flag outside commemorates his death -- as court officials and the jury try to sort out exactly what happened last spring.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

After the opening statements are finished today, the prosecutors plan to put some of Nathaniel's fellow students on the witness stand. Tomorrow, they will show the jury that videotape of the shooting

Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: So Mark, is there no question, considering this boy's age, about having him tried as an adult?

POTTER: That's a big issue here in Florida. As you know, we had another case here, with Lionel Tate, and his age didn't factor in that case very much. He was convicted and has now been sentenced to life in prison. That case will go to the governor for review.

It's an issue, but not enough to keep him out of adult court. He's here; he's facing first-degree murder; and if convicted, he will be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

KAGAN: That's very serious.

Mark Potter, thank you so much.

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