13-Year-Old Too Young To Face Death Penalty

State Attorney Determined To Prosecute Teen As Adult

WEST PALM BEACH -- State attorney Barry Krishner tells Eyewitness News 25 that he is determined to try 13-year-old Nathaniel Brazill as an adult.

Brazill is too young to face the death penalty, but if tried as an adult, he could face life.

"A child under the age of 14 gets into adult court by committing a first degree punishable by life crime," Krishner said, "Which in this case is greater because it involves death."

Police said that Brazill got the Raven .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol from his grandfather's house sometime last week.

According to Florida law, it is a crime to store or leave a loaded firearm within the reach or easy access of a minor. A minor is defined as someone under the age of 16.

Sen. Mandy Dawson tells Eyewitness News 25 that she will reintroduce legislation that would make schools safer.

"No one believes that it's going to happen to them and it's sad and unfortunate, but perhaps now my colleagues in the House and Senate will want to take a deeper look at this issue."

Dawson's bill would require all schools to have specific plans of action when faced with armed intruders.

The previous bill passed the Senate during the last legislative session, but failed to make it out of the house.

Dawson's district stretches into central Palm Beach County, not far from Friday's school shooting.

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