Michael Brewer Update: Matthew "Zeke" Bent convicted of lesser battery charge in Fla. burned teen case

(CBS/AP) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Matthew "Zeke" Bent, accused of attempted murder for plotting the attack in which Florida middle school student Michael Brewer was set on fire, was convicted Tuesday of a lesser charge of aggravated battery.

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

Bent and two other teenagers were initially charged with attempted second-degree murder in the attack on Brewer.

Denver "D.C." Jarvis, 17, and Jesus Mendez, 18, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and were sentenced to eight and 11 years behind bars, respectively.

Bent had previously planned to plead no contest but his attorney's advised against it at the last minute, insisting he was not the instigator of the attack and never intended to hurt the 15-year-old victim.

"You're talking about 14 and 15-year-old boys. This is something that was horrific and went terribly wrong," said Defense Attorney Perry Thurston, Jr. "But this is just a back story of what goes horribly wrong with kids walking home from school. Ten minutes' time in the lives of all of these kids has changed their lives totally."

A conviction for aggravated battery carries a maximum of 15 years in prison, about half of what one for attempted second-degree murder brings. Prosecutors said they will ask for the maximum penalty. Bent's lawyers said they plan to file an appeal. They noted that he's already spent three years in jail awaiting trial.

Bent, 17, will be sentenced July 23.

Prosecutors said Bent offered Jarvis money to pour rubbing alcohol on Brewer. Mendez then set him ablaze with a lighter. 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