One of the South Florida teens convicted in the fiery attack on Michael Brewer was back in court Wednesday where he accepted a plea deal on burglary and grand theft charges related to the incident.
Matthew Bent, 19, pleaded no contest to lesser charges of trespass and petty theft related to the 2009 attack on Brewer. He will get credit for time served
"We felt it was a fair and just resolution, now he can put it behind him and move forward with his life," said Bent's attorney, Gordon Weeks. hopefully there can be some closure and everyone can move forward."
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Bent was sentenced to 11 years in prison in December, after he was convicted of aggravated battery in the Deerfield Beach attack that left Brewer, then 15, with severe burns.
Bent, who prosecutors say was the ringleader in the Brewer attack, was the only defendant who went to trial. Denver Jarvis, 17, who poured rubbing alcohol on Brewer, pleaded no contest to charges related to the attack and has been sentenced to eight years in prison with a probation term of 22 years.
Jesus Mendez, 18, who pulled out a lighter and set Brewer on fire, also pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 11 years in prison followed by 19 years of probation.
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Bent was charged with the burglary and grand theft charges after he allegedly tried to steal a bicycle from the Brewer home before the attack.
Bent's father, Dennis, said his son never took the bicycle and was ready to go to trial.
"I didn't want him to go through this again, he didn't do nothing," Dennis Bent said. "Hopefully his appeal comes back next year and we can wash this up, get this over with and everybody move on and continue with their life."
"This closes a chapter in the life of the Brewer family that they are very, very happy to have behind them," prosecutor Maria Schneider said.
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