Trial For Teen In Michael Brewer Case Delayed
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Jury selection for the trial of Matthew Bent, one of three teens charged with setting Michael Brewer on fire in October 2009, has been delayed.
"I really don't want to talk right now, I'm sorry," said Michael Brewer outside the courtroom.
Bent's attorney filed a motion to move the case back to juvenile court. He argued Bent, who was only 15 years old at the time of the attack, does not have the maturity level to understand the consequences of a jury trial.
On Monday Broward Circuit Judge Michael Robinson delayed the start of jury selection and ordered that Bent undergo a mental competency exam. Robinson also denied the motion to transfer the case to juvenile court.
Michael's grandmother, Reenie Brewer, called all this a delay tactic and did not buy the argument that he didn't understand what was happening. She said he was well aware of what he was doing when this all happened. She said a case like this needs to teach others that there are consequences to your actions.
"If we don't put something out there that says 'This can not happen anymore', that there has to be respect for each human being, that you can not inflict harm on somebody else and not have any repercussions is ridiculous," said Michael's aunt Reenie Brewer.
Last month, two other teens who were charged in the case, 19-year old Jesus Mendez and 18-year old Denver Jarvis, pled no contest to attempted second degree murder.
Bent, who was the alleged ringleader of the trio, was also expected to enter a new plea but he changed his mind at the last-minute and opted for a jury trial based on advise from his family.
Mendez, Jarvis and Bent are accused of pouring rubbing alcohol on then 15-year-old Brewer before setting him on fire. The trio reportedly set Brewer on fire after an argument over a video game and a stolen bike.
He survived by jumping into a nearby swimming pool. He suffered burns over 60-percent of his body. He spent months rehabilitating at Jackson memorial Hospital Burn Center in Miami.
The state sought 15 years for Mendez and 10 years to both Bent and Jarvis.
Mendez, 18, accused of the flicking the lighter, was the first to be sentenced. He was given 11 years in prison, one year of community control and 18 years probation.
Jarvis, who was accused of pouring the liquid on Brewer, was sentenced to eight years in prison, one year of community of control and 21 years of probation.
Bent, who is charged with attempted second degree murder, could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
