Prosecutors, defense rest in Fla. burned teen case

Published November 20, 2014

Both sides have rested their case in the trial of a South Florida teenager accused of orchestrating a burning attack against a classmate.

The judge is expected to instruct the jury Monday afternoon before deliberations begin.

Seventeen-year-old Matthew Bent is charged with attempted second-degree murder in the 2009 attack on Michael Brewer, who was then 15. Attorneys announced Monday that Bent will not testify.

Bent could get 30 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say he offered another boy money to pour rubbing alcohol on Brewer. A third boy set Brewer ablaze with a lighter. Those two pleaded no contest and are serving prison time.

The attack came after Bent and Brewer got into a dispute over money and Bent allegedly tried to steal a Brewer family bicycle.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/prosecutors-defense-rest-in-fla-burned-teen-case