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Teen's parents nix plea offer in teacher killing

From Susan Candiotti
CNN Miami Bureau

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- A Florida teen charged with shooting his favorite teacher will apparently stand trial for first-degree murder, after the youth's parents rejected a plea offer, attorneys said Tuesday.

Attorney Robert Udell, who represents 14-year-old Nathaniel Brazille, told CNN the proposal was rejected by the boy's parents.

"We're going to trial. We're set for jury selection to begin," said Palm Beach County State's Attorney spokesman Michael Edmundson.

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Neither prosecutors nor the defense team would disclose the terms of the proposed plea deal.

Udell said his clients had until Wednesday to make a decision.

"A plea offer was made and it was rejected," Udell said . "Apparently, at this time, all parties have stopped talking."

"I have a phone and I have it on to talk at all times, " Udell added.

Prosecutors would not say if they intend to change their mind about making another proposal before the trial begins as scheduled April 30.

"We're ready to proceed, " said Edmundson.

Brazille faces life without parole if found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of teacher Barry Grunow, who was gunned down on the final day of school last May. In Florida, a youth under the age of 16 convicted of first-degree murder cannot be put to death.

Brazille is accused of using his grandfather's .25-caliber handgun to shoot Grunow. The teacher was shot in the face -- a shooting captured on a school surveillance camera.

Grunow had sent Brazille home earlier that day for playing with water balloons. Police say Brazille returned with a gun.

The teen-ager has entered a not guilty plea. His attorneys say the gun went off accidentally.

While being held in jail without bond, Brazille was also charged with attempted witness tampering.

Authorities said he sent letters to former classmates asking them to testify in a favorable way if called upon by prosecutors.

Brazille's lawyers contend police and prosecutors misinterpreted those letters.

After filing that charge, authorities said they confiscated additional letters written by Brazille in which he allegedly asks a friend to have a gun waiting for him if he is ever set free.

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