dictionary

Lawyers wrapping up case of boy accused of shooting teacher

Nathaniel Brazill sits in court Thursday during a hearing on jury instructions in West Palm Beach, Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- Closing arguments have begun Monday in the case of a 14-year-old middle school student accused of shooting a teacher in the head last May when the teacher refused to let him talk to two other students in the class.

Nathaniel Brazill faces a life sentence if the jury convicts him of first-degree murder.

Brazill took the stand last week, testifying that he had returned to school with the gun after he was sent home for throwing water balloons on May 26, 2000, the last day of classes before summer break. He testified that he told a friend that he was coming back with the gun to shoot a counselor who suspended him.

But a videotape shown in the courtroom showed Brazill stopping by to see a teacher, Barry Grunow. Brazill testified that he asked Grunow, an English teacher whom he liked, to let him say good-bye to a pair of girls in the class. When Grunow refused, Brazill aimed the gun at his head because he didn't think the teacher was "taking him seriously."

MESSAGE BOARD School safety

LEGAL RESOURCES Latest Legal News Law Library FindLaw Consumer Center Select a topic Bankruptcy Discrimination Divorce Estate Planning Landlord-Tenant Personal Injury Taxes

"Did he take you seriously after you shot him?" Assistant State's Attorney Marc Shiner asked during Wednesday's testimony. Brazill did not respond.

Brazill, who was 13 at the time of the shooting, testified that he hadn't meant to pull the trigger, that he only wanted to scare Grunow. But he also testified that having the gun in his possession made him feel like a big man.

In the video, Brazill can be seen running away from the classroom after the shooting.

Defense rests after teen shows how he shot teacher
May 9, 2001
14-year-old boy denies he planned to kill teacher
May 8, 2001

See related sites about LAW

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.