Teens Who Burned Boy Could Be Released: Prosecutors
Prosecutors get more time to make case against teens accused of setting Michael Brewer on fire
By BRIAN HAMACHER and TODD WRIGHT
Updated 8:12 AM EST, Tue, Nov 3, 2009
The teens charged with setting 15-year-old Michael Brewer on fire were in court today as prosecutors asked for more time to make their case against them.
Steven Shelton, Jesus Mendez, Matthew Bent, and Denver and Jeremy Jarvis were all brought to court from their cells at a juvenile detention center in Broward this morning for the appearance.
The next week or so will be crucial for the state because without adult charges, the boys will be freed from the Broward juvenile detention center, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Under state law, 13-year-old Jeremy Jarvis can't be charged as an adult and he will likely have a bond hearing before being released.
Prosecutors asked Monday for nine extra days to prepare their cases against the teens, so that they can speak with Brewer, who is still in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital and has been unable to speak since the Oct. 12 incident.
Mendez and Shelton, both 16, have been charged with aggravated battery. Mendez, who lit Brewer on fire after an argument over a $40 video game, has also been charged with attempted murder.
Bent, 15, Denver Jarvis, 15 and Jeremy Jarvis, 13, have all been charged with aggravated assault. Prosecutors want to try all the teens, except the younger Jarvis, as adults.
Brewer has burns on over 65 percent of his body as a result of the attack, which happened at a Deerfield Beach apartment complex.
The community has been rallying around the young boy as he fights for his life, raising thousands of dollars for his family through a car wash, a restaurant fundraiser and the Michael Brewer Foundation, which helps pay for his recovery.
First Published: Nov 2, 2009 11:58 AM EST
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