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American Morning

14-Year-Old Defendant Could Be Called to Testify Today

Aired May 08, 2001 - 11:40   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now let's go to our Mark Potter, who is standing by in West Palm Beach, Florida with the latest on that trial of Nathaniel Brazill, who is standing trial right now for the murder of a teacher in Florida -- Mark.

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Leon. The prosecution is winding down its case, expected to rest shortly. The jurors have been hearing from the last few witnesses, including one of the Nathaniel's classmates who described the victim Barry Grunow as a very popular teacher, and in his words "an all-around great guy."

Right now, the jury is hearing from the principal of the school, Robert Hatcher, the principal of Lake Worth Community Middle School. He said that the teacher was very popular and that the day of the shooting was the worst day of his life, his life that of Robert Hatcher, the principal.

Now earlier, the jury saw the end of the videotaped statement that Nathaniel gave police on the day of the shooting. Nathaniel told police that the shooting was not intentional and that he had done something stupid. He also broke down when he learned from one of the detectives that Mr. Grunow had died.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NATHANIEL BRAZILL, DEFENDANT: Can you tell me what I did to the teacher?

UNIDENTIFIED POLICE OFFICER: Yeah, he died.

BRAZILL: Well, where at?

UNIDENTIFIED POLICE OFFICER: Right there at the school. Are you OK, Nate?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

POTTER: Now, the defense says that its case will take about a day-and-a-half to put on. Its main witness, its star witness, will be Nathaniel himself we are told. He is expected to go on the witness stand before the jury under oath probably tomorrow. And he will face cross-examination from the prosecutors.

If he is convicted of first-degree murder, he would face a mandatory life prison term without parole. He could also be convicted of second-degree murder or manslaughter.

The defense says that the killing was not intentional. The defense concedes that a crime was committed here, but claims that it was not premeditated murder. This case could conceivably be in the hands of the jury Thursday afternoon. Leon, back to you.

HARRIS: Mark, can I ask you a question quickly about the tape that we saw? What was the atmosphere like there in the courtroom when that tape was played?

POTTER: Very quiet, somber. The family was watching. There was a moment during the time when he was with police where he came together with his family. The police officers left the room. And that was very emotional. And the family members watching the tape of that became very emotional. It was a tough time for them in the courtroom today.

HARRIS: And the Nathaniel's reaction?

POTTER: From that we could see, very somber, very quiet, sitting next to the monitor to watch it closely. And the nothing outward that we could see except just that he was very quiet.

HARRIS: Interesting. Mark Potter, thank much from West Palm Beach. We will talk with you later on about this case.

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