Michael Brewer Update: Closing arguments begin in Fla. burned teen case

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Michael Brewer

/ Personal photo

(CBS/AP) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Closing arguments have begun in the trial of Florida teenager Matthew Bent, who is accused of orchestrating a burning attack against middle school classmate Michael Brewer.

Pictures: Michael Brewer's remarkable recovery (warning: some graphic content)

A broken air conditioner at the county courthouse delayed the trial Friday. Bent, 17, is accused of attempted second-degree murder in the 2009 attack on Brewer, who was 15-years-old at the time.

Attorneys announced Monday that Bent will not testify.

Bent could get 30 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say teen offered another boy money to pour rubbing alcohol on Brewer. A third boy set him ablaze with a lighter. Those two pleaded no contest and are serving prison time.

The attack came after Bent and Brewer got into a dispute over money and Bent's alleged attempt to steal a Brewer family bicycle.

Complete coverage of Michael Brewer on Crimesider

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Michael Brewer's remarkable recovery

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by rambose June 19, 2012 9:47 AM EDT: Forget the vengeance, but make sure society is protected.; Reply to this comment


by guyfrompa46 June 19, 2012 7:55 AM EDT: Where exactly is Sharpton and Jackson condeming this type of act? Oh That's right it's not in their best interest.; Reply to this comment


by BapPas June 18, 2012 7:45 PM EDT: Americans, for the most part, don't really believe in God or his word so we can expect, as I have said on numerous occasions, greater acts of violence. Keep telling kids not to bully, and you get more of it, especially in the current context of moral confusion which has arisen because of the abandonment of God's laws-- take the case of government endorsed sodomy and abortion. "all nations that forget God shall be turned into he'll" -- emotional, physically violent hell! Welcome to godless America 2012.; Reply to this comment


by ksmit2 June 18, 2012 7:28 PM EDT: Yeah, ditto on the above comments. Notice how long it's been
so that a lot of people don't know what the story is about.
They postpone this stuff for so long it's ridiculous. It's
true, the evil perpetrated by young people is often obscured
indefinitely because of their age, political correctness.
Hopefully these guys will do some serious time, for this senseless
awful, and just plain evil crime.; Reply to this comment


by OnTheRoad01 June 18, 2012 3:28 PM EDT: One hugh error with our current justice system is how we handle (read that don't handle) our young law breakers! We need to come now hard on these young people, tell the world their names, ages and exactly what they have done. Stop letting them hide behind the mere fact that they are younger than 18 years of age!; Reply to this comment