Gunnar+Bearley+4A

In an apartment complex in Deerfield, Florida, on October 14th, a 15 year old boy was lit on fire by five boys who attend his school, their ages between 13 and 15. The victim's name is Michael Brewer. He owed Matthew Bent forty dollars for a video game and he didn't pay it back. So Matthew attempted to steal his father's bike until Michael would pay the money. Michael stopped him, and then reported to the authorities. Matthew was arrested that day, taken to a detention center, and released early the next day. Michael did not go to school on Monday because he was afraid and went to his friend's apartment in the afternoon. Matthew and four others found Michael there. The other four were Steven Shelton, Jesus Mendez, Denver Jarvis, and Jeremy Jarvis, Denver's little brother. Jeremy is 13. The other four are 15. They surrounded Michael and kept him from leaving. Matthew called Michael a snitch and them told Denver to cover him in rubbing alcohol. Jesus Mendez then lit him on fire with a lighter. Michael ran and jumped into a swimming pool nearby and the flames went out. But by then 65% of his body was covered in burns. Now, Michael has received skin grafts, using skin from cadavers since there isn't enough healthy skin of his own to use. He can suffer from organ failure or disease. Currently, Jeremy has been ruled too young to be tried as an adult.

The court case has not yet happened. Jesus Mendez was the one who lit Michael on fire, and is being charged for attempted murder. I think he and Bent will be tried as adults, but the rest will not. I don't think this is fair. I think Denver and Bent should also be tried for attempted murder because Bent ordered it to be done, and Denver poured the alcohol on Michael in the first place. Steven and Jeremy stood in Michael's way to keep him from escaping. They should be charged in conspiracy, but they didn't take an active part in burning MIchael. I think all of them, with the exception of Jeremy, should be tried as adults because they're 15. So am I. I know I wouldn't pour alcohol on someone and light them on fire. Jeremy probably still knew what was going on, but he could have also been pressured into it by his brother.

Michael Brewer

Jeremy Jarvis, Denver Jarvis, and Matthew Bent

Phillips, R. (2009, November 3). //Set afire, teen now struggles for survival//. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/02/teen.burned.recovery/index.html Kotz, P. (2009, October 26). //Teens douse 15-year-old michael brewer, set him on fire//. Retrieved from http://www.truecrimereport.com/2009/10/teens_douse_15-year-old_michae.php (Photographer). (2009). //Michael brewer// [Web]. Retrieved from http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/tag/michael-brewer/ Cavaretta, J. (Photographer). (2009). //Sun sentinel//[Web]. Retrieved from http://www.dreamindemon.com/2009/10/14/jesus-mendez-and-denver-jarvis-set-michael-brewer-on-fire/