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Title of article: **Teen who killed teacher sentenced to 28 years in priso ****n**

Summary: In West Palm Beach, Florida, a 14 year old boy named Nathaniel Brazill was convicted for murdering his 7th grade middle school teacher in May of 2000. His sentence is 28 years in prison, which is relieving to his mother: 'I know now my son will be coming home one day.' Brazill claimed that he didn't mean to hurt his 35- year old language arts teacher on May 26, 200 0, and wished he could take it back. Brazill attended Lake Worth Community Middle School, where Barry Grunow also worked. Grunow's family asked for the maximum sentence against Brazill. Grunow's widow, Pam, stated: 'Nathaniel has consequences to face and everyone must consider the cause. Why does a young person make such a sad choice? Then maybe tomorrow, another woman's husband, another little boy's daddy, and another great teacher won't be sacrificed in an angry, crazy moment. ' Judge Richard Wennet declared that Brazill could be convicted as an adult under Florida's strict gun-use law.  Nathaniel Brazill's side of the story: According to Brazill, he never intentionally pulled the trigger of the .25-caliber handgun- he only wanted to cock the pistol so that Grunow would "take him seriously." The reason he even brought the gun to school, prosecutors argue, is because he was angry that he was suspended by another teacher for throwing water balloons. Also, he was angry because he was failing Barry Grunow's class. Right before the shooting, Grunow wouldn't allow Brazill to talk to a couple of girls in the class. In another article, the reason claimes to be about his family: his mother had just divorced Brazill's 3rd stepfather, all of whom were abusive verbally and physically. Brazill had kept his feelings about his family issues bottled up, and he finally exploded.

Barry Grunow's side: The 35-year old language arts teacher was shot in the head by one of his 13-year old students on May 26, 2000, because Grunow wouldn't let him talk to two girls in class. Aside from the obvious, there was no other information on the man, except that he was an excellent teacher who was loved by all.

The outcome: Barry Grunow's side won, and Nathaniel Brazill was sentenced to 28 years in prison without parole. Under law, he (Brazill) should have automatically recieved 10 years in prison for carrying a gun at a crime scene, 20 years for firing a gun at a crime scene, and 25 years to life for firing a gun which harmed or killed someone. Obivously, he wasn't sentenced as harshly, but was still tried as an adult in the case.

I think under these circumstances, the punishment for Brazill was just. The boy, although troubled, still killed an innocent man, and it is right that he should face the consequences. He could have also seeked help with his family issues, there are many organizations that would have been willing to help. Considering he was tried as an adult, the trial would have been the same. If he was an adult though, his consequences may have been more harsh. In this case, I would not have changed anything about Nathaniel Brazill's conviction.

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