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Prosecutor Agrees To 50-Year Cap For Treacy Sentence

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) -- The 16-year-old boy accused of nearly stomping to death a Deerfield Middle School student was back in court Thursday morning for the first time since August.

Wayne Treacy is charged as an adult in the March 17 beating of Josie Lou Ratley, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison in the state of Florida. But in court Thursday, the prosecutor in the case agreed to cap his maximum sentence at 50-years, according to The Sun Sentinel.

The decision follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling which states it is cruel and unusual punishment to give young criminals a life sentence without a chance for parole if they have not killed someone.

Treacy is charged with attempted murder.

Broward Circuit Judge David Haimes set Treacy's next court hearing for March 31 and urged the attorneys to prepare the case for trial.

Ratley, now 16, was left brain damaged in the attack and continues her rehabilitation at home.

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