Michael Brewer, teen burn victim, hospitalized again in serious condition

[BorderCollieMom]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j2u9sTQ0uvlLZRyPik2PdPcDocuwD9BA97U85


Im without words. Prayers prayers and more prayers.

[BorderCollieMom]

http://www.miamiherald.com/1460/story/1280642.html

This poor poor child ! This is just totally unbelievable !

Bullying to a whole new level. I weep.

[BorderCollieMom]

3 teens arrested but nobody will say who they are...minors, surely.

Meanwhile, the entire world will read of MBs story. This poor child. How could someone (or 3) do this ? I just dont understand !

[Citygirl]

OMG..what a tragedy for this young man to be fighting for his life..so many times infection starts and is so hard to fight..to say nothing of the years of treatment and surgeries he may be in for..
I will be waiting to see if these perpetrators are charged with attempted murder as they should be..:cursing:

[warhorse46]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j2u9sTQ0uvlLZRyPik2PdPcDocuwD9BA97U85


Im without words. Prayers prayers and more prayers.





What a horrific crime! With 75% of his body involved he is fighting an uphill battle to survive. And if he does survive he will be facing years of treatments & surgeries.

[Mandysmom]

I will never understand how people can be so cruel. What in the hades is going on?

:sad:

[warhorse46]

Personally, I feel there's just too much violence being shown on television, in the movies, in the games kids play, and even their music.

Kids scare me these days, because there's not a respectful attitude in the bunch when there's more than one or two of them together, aka a gang.

Children get positively saturated with violence from a very early age right on into puberty and adulthood. Combine that with little or no discipline, and you have a recipe for some real heartless juvenile deliquents taking their meaness out on those people or animals who are in their cross-hairs. This latest fiasco was gang related, I'd bet. Very frightening.



I agree 100% with you re the reason for all of the teen violence seen today.

[BorderCollieMom]

Just heard on HLN that now theres 5 youths in custody.

[orangetaffy]

"The suspects are two 15-year-old boys and a 13-year-old boy. All are accused of setting Brewer on fire. Court documents say the attack was over money the alleged attackers said Brewer owed them"

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/13/national/main5382229.shtml

[IaNsSyAlNuE]

Police: Juveniles laughed after setting 15-year-old on fire

Five juveniles were in custody Tuesday after a 15-year-old was intentionally set on fire at a Deerfield Beach, Florida, apartment complex, police said.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/13/florida.teen.burned/index.html

Video report:

http://www.justnews.com/video/21283051/index.html

[Kip]

Police: Juveniles laughed after setting 15-year-old on fire



http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/13/florida.teen.burned/index.html

Video report:

http://www.justnews.com/video/21283051/index.html

OMG. Sick. Sick. Sick. And to laugh about it after. That poor young man. I shudder to think that these "juveniles" will be back on the streets in a few years.

[BorderCollieMom]

Doctor: Burned Fla. teen 'not out of woods yet'

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j2u9sTQ0uvlLZRyPik2PdPcDocuwD9BAUGH01



Two Teens Charged In Fiery Attack Face Judge
Five Teens Are Accused Of Torching Of Michael Brewer
Revenge Is Believed To Be The Motive For The Attack

http://cbs4.com/local/deerfield.beach.teen.2.1246915.html
2 teens staying in jail.
May be prosecuted as adults.
Judge finds probable cause 2nd degree attemped murder charges.

More details at link.

Question for board members....most articles are printing all of the teens names & a even some of the family members of the charged teens doing interviews.
How is that going to work posting their names here on the thread ?

[BorderCollieMom]

OrangeTaffy...

Thats kinda what Im getting....

MB "bought" a video game from Teen X ..saying he would pay him later.

Teen X never got paid so he stole MBs daddys bike as payment.

MB got Teen X arrested for it.

Teen X was let out of jail same day.

The next day, Teen X & Co. surrounded MB.....

[BorderCollieMom]

There is a thread on the Open Court board.....

[Dogmatic]

There must be some serious lack of parenting going on with those five. No empathy or sympathy for someone set on fire. Unreal

[Kip]

There must be some serious lack of parenting going on with those five. No empathy or sympathy for someone set on fire. Unreal

The laughing at it after the fact is exceptionally troubling. I mean, it's horrific enough that a group of kids would think to try to set someone on fire, but maybe they didn't think through the consequences. But to have no remorse after the fact...I hate to say it, but I think these "kids" are beyond redemption. I hope they're tried as adults and given long, long sentences.

[EvilEyeBall]

The laughing at it after the fact is exceptionally troubling. I mean, it's horrific enough that a group of kids would think to try to set someone on fire, but maybe they didn't think through the consequences. But to have no remorse after the fact...I hate to say it, but I think these "kids" are beyond redemption. I hope they're tried as adults and given long, long sentences.

I'm a little surprised that there aren't a few posters hoping for nothing more than therapy for the little wayward boys................eyeroll.

IMO They are broken, can't be fixed. Lock em up and toss the key!

[Dogmatic]

I'm a little surprised that there aren't a few posters hoping for nothing more than therapy for the little wayward boys................eyeroll.

IMO They are broken, can't be fixed. Lock em up and toss the key!

I agree. Thank goodness for the neighbor with the fire extinguisher.

[Kip]

[snipped] ....
Question for board members....most articles are printing all of the teens names & a even some of the family members of the charged teens doing interviews.
How is that going to work posting their names here on the thread ?

I just checked the TOS and didn't find anything specific about this. It's my understanding that once someone's name is published in a newspaper, it's fair game for discussion.

[KittyMom]

I saw this on the orlandosentinel site last night. I can't believe how cruel these kids were. I hope the jury isn't sympathic to them due to age but look at the victim and how he's suffered.

[Mandysmom]

Remorseless and cruel. They don't need to breathe free air again ever.

:cursing:

[SavannahStar]

Remorseless and cruel. They don't need to breathe free air again ever.

:cursing:


I agree 100%.

[taylor63]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j2u9sTQ0uvlLZRyPik2PdPcDocuwD9BA97U85


Im without words. Prayers prayers and more prayers.

I was horrified when I heard about this tragic story on CNN the other day. There is nothing more painful than a burn injury. My prayers go out to the poor little guy, and I hope he has as much support as possible emotionally and every other way as well.

[taylor63]

I will never understand how people can be so cruel. What in the hades is going on?

:sad:

So true sometimes it seems like the whole world is going to hell in a handbasket.

[taylor63]

Police: Juveniles laughed after setting 15-year-old on fire



http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/13/florida.teen.burned/index.html

Video report:

http://www.justnews.com/video/21283051/index.html

They sure would not have been laughing if they had been the one's on fire. It's unbelievable to me how cruel and evil some people can be.

[ViennaGal]

This story is so horrific. I wept this morning watching the mother being interviewed along with her son's doctor. She held herself together quite well considering but later off camera just broke apart.

I pray the teens involved pay and pay big time for what they've done to this family.

[airportwoman]

I wonder how many of them have done this before - if not to people, to animals.

And I also wonder if this would have made the news, even locally, if the victim wasn't white. MHO.

The parents of the perpetrators should be responsible for this boy's lifelong medical care.

[Kip]

I wonder how many of them have done this before - if not to people, to animals.

And I also wonder if this would have made the news, even locally, if the victim wasn't white. MHO.

The parents of the perpetrators should be responsible for this boy's lifelong medical care.

I think the story would have been more likely to make the news if the victim wasn't white.

I agree that the perpetrators' families should be responsible for the victim's lifelong medical care. And the perpetrators too if they're tried as adults. I guess that will all have to involve a civil trial?

[Snoopy50]

The laughing at it after the fact is exceptionally troubling. I mean, it's horrific enough that a group of kids would think to try to set someone on fire, but maybe they didn't think through the consequences. But to have no remorse after the fact...I hate to say it, but I think these "kids" are beyond redemption. I hope they're tried as adults and given long, long sentences.

Kip, you are absolutely on the same page with my husband and I. There is no moral compass in any of these boys and never will be. This case has horrified me, bullies need to be charged criminally, it is the only way to stop torturing. How many kids who were bullied commit violent crimes? Columbine comes to mind, along with several others. I have lobbied for the laws to be changed regarding bullying, as our youngest daughter experienced a horrific year of it in 7th grade at a school she had attended since 1st grade. A CHRISTIAN school no less.
There was no accountability with the administration at all. We had a great end to this story, but most do not. Our society needs to recognize this behavior and act, so many tragedies could be avoided.

In this case, these boys need to spend the rest of their lives locked up.Period. There is no fixing them ever. IMO.:angry:

[Dogmatic]

Oh let me guess on the defense strategy:

Perp came from a shattered home with no guidance from an adult. blah blah blah


Guess what people, so did I, but having said that, I would never ever think to set another human being on fire.

Throw the book at all five of them.

[Jayne]

Personally, I feel there's just too much violence being shown on television, in the movies, in the games kids play, and even their music.

Kids scare me these days, because there's not a respectful attitude in the bunch when there's more than one or two of them together, aka a gang.

Children get positively saturated with violence from a very early age right on into puberty and adulthood. Combine that with little or no discipline, and you have a recipe for some real heartless juvenile deliquents taking their meaness out on those people or animals who are in their cross-hairs. This latest fiasco was gang related, I'd bet. Very frightening.

I couldn't agree More. I'm not popular with my disdain for computer games, certain music, and such and I battle with a child, as a single mother, over acceptable games..and I don't care his age..it's the mental and emotional capacity to "get it". These ratings on games are ridiculous, IMO. I've viewed some for 10 and above and I was appauled.

Being saturated with violence (and I get what you're saying) can seem innocuous to many people - as "it's just a movie" or "it's just a game"..but it sets a child and some adults up to be desentized to violence..and I know many won't agree with that.

This (and so many other things) are outrageous. Juvenile laws should be changed since they aren't "juveniles" anymore when they commit crimes like this (OK..many states already have that in place). That poor Mom..who sent her kid to school, despite him not wanting to go (as she said on TV) and now living with this..NOT her fault, BTW.

This poor boy..and his mother. I have no remorse for saying those children who did this to him belong behind bars for YEARS if not the rest of their lives. They should thank their Lucky Stars that they are American citizens and not in another country where they would get what they sowed. Their parents must be going through H*** right now..trying to come to grips with what their children did to another.

jmo

J

[airportwoman]

Their parents must be going through H*** right now..trying to come to grips with what their children did to another.

jmo

J

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. People who raise kids like this are usually proud of their kids for having committed a violent crime. :scared: :thumbdown:

[Jayne]

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. People who raise kids like this are usually proud of their kids for having committed a violent crime. :scared: :thumbdown:


Really respect you APW...we've posted back and forth..and I don't hold this response against you at all.

I cannot imagine a parent being Proud of their child dousing and burning another child..just can't. Unless they were entirely depraved..gang or whatever..just can't imagine it. If so...maybe the parent taught them how to do it?

I really do believe many people believe they are raising their children "correctly"..even when they see some things off kilter..but they keep trying..but when something like this happens..they aren't Proud of it..they are confused..scared..and perhaps in retrospect wondering..What Happened?

jmo

J

[taylor63]

Kip, you are absolutely on the same page with my husband and I. There is no moral compass in any of these boys and never will be. This case has horrified me, bullies need to be charged criminally, it is the only way to stop torturing. How many kids who were bullied commit violent crimes? Columbine comes to mind, along with several others. I have lobbied for the laws to be changed regarding bullying, as our youngest daughter experienced a horrific year of it in 7th grade at a school she had attended since 1st grade. A CHRISTIAN school no less.
There was no accountability with the administration at all. We had a great end to this story, but most do not. Our society needs to recognize this behavior and act, so many tragedies could be avoided.

In this case, these boys need to spend the rest of their lives locked up.Period. There is no fixing them ever. IMO.:angry:

I agree, but you can be sure there will be plenty of bleeding hearts whining but their just children themselves don't punish them too hard!

In my opinion,anyone who could set another human being on fire, and then laugh about it is the epitome of an evil person.

I am a Christian and I do believe with God all things are possible. I think the boys could have a change of heart and repent for this horrific crime through God's grace,but I also think they should be in jail for years, and possibly even the rest of their lives for what they did.

God knows the emotional and physical pain this poor kid will suffer the rest of his life for what these boys did to him.

[Snoopy50]

I agree, but you can be sure there will be plenty of bleeding hearts whining but their just children themselves don't punish them too hard!

In my opinion,anyone who could set another human being on fire, and then laugh about it is the epitome of an evil person.

I am a Christian and I do believe with God all things are possible. I think the boys could have a change of heart and repent for this horrific crime through God's grace,but I also think they should be in jail for years, and possibly even the rest of their lives for what they did.

God knows the emotional and physical pain this poor kid will suffer the rest of his life for what these boys did to him.

Evil is a good word for this group. Two of them are brothers, from the same family so that tells me there is little to no supervision or accountability. These boys, all of them, are thugs, they are dangerous and need to be removed from society. If by some miracle they find God, then something good will come from this. As it stands, the victim will suffer horribly for years to come and the punishment should fit the crime. IMO

[Debb]

I heard someone with the government talking on the news about the importance of finding out what is causing this drastic increase in violent crime in this country. I think it was the Attorney General. I think it is important too, because if we don't find the root of the problem, how you can stop it. What we end up doing is only reacting AFTER some one is already hurt or dead. That is too late.

The government rep. mentioned, socioeconomic status, education, etc. as possible factors, but what about those monsters who murdered that mother and cut off the toes of her daughter last week? Didn't they come from privileged homes in upper class neighborhoods and good schools?

Is it possible all of these kids are sociopaths? It seems like they are. If so, there is no way to prevent it, because we don't know what causes it. It's just such a terrible thing. I almost don't want to watch the news anymore. I can't even read some of the threads on this board that describes what is being done to children. It' just crazy!

[Valkyrie08]

I've read about this just yesterday. One article I read said that one of the boys showed remorse for his part in this horrible crime (as he should be). If so, I hope he's willing to talk to LE about everything he knows about the incident.

IMO, the boys should spend time at a rehab facility so they can see what burn patients have to go through during their physical therapy. I want them to see the impact that their actions have on Michael and his family.

:rose: Prayers for everyone affected.

[BOZGAL2]

:crying:

I just heard Michael's Mother on JVM. Heartbreaking.
My prayers are with them all.
Hang in there Michael.

And the perps.
Fogeabouit. :cursing:

[Snoopy50]

:crying:

I just heard Michael's Mother on JVM. Heartbreaking.
My prayers are with them all.
Hang in there Michael.

And the perps.
Fogeabouit. :cursing:
I made the mistake of listening to the 911 call. It is just sickening.....Michael's agony is heartbreaking. The woman who called 911 and tried to calm and comfort Michael until help arrived is an angel, she had to be horrified but she was so kind and did everything she could to keep Michael mobilized and reassured. Those awful thugs are without souls. IMO:angry:

[Kip]

I made the mistake of listening to the 911 call. It is just sickening.....Michael's agony is heartbreaking. The woman who called 911 and tried to calm and comfort Michael until help arrived is an angel, she had to be horrified but she was so kind and did everything she could to keep Michael mobilized and reassured. Those awful thugs are without souls. IMO:angry:

I don't have the heart to listen to it right now :crying:, but I sure as heck hope it's played at the trials.

[Snoopy50]

I don't have the heart to listen to it right now :crying:, but I sure as heck hope it's played at the trials.
I am praying that his mother never hears it....had it been one of my children, I doubt I could take it. As it was I heard his screams in my nightmares last night.:crying:

[september]

Michael Vick.........he tortured dogs, I won't recount the brutality here, but what happened to him? He is back in the NFL, he has a show on BET and a new contract with Nikie. Yea, he is just the type of man we want our sons to look up to and emulate. Make no mistake there is a reason that cruelty to animals is one of the warrning signs of a sociopath in the making.

Now we are surprised when these kids mimic this hero and set someone on fire. They are just following the message we as a society sent to them loud and clear.

[Kip]

I am praying that his mother never hears it....had it been one of my children, I doubt I could take it. As it was I heard his screams in my nightmares last night.:crying:

Those boys who did this must have heard his screams -- and several of them were able to laugh about it later. :angry:

[Biscuit]

Oh let me guess on the defense strategy:

Perp came from a shattered home with no guidance from an adult. blah blah blah


Guess what people, so did I, but having said that, I would never ever think to set another human being on fire.

Throw the book at all five of them.

Shattered home or no, this story to me, at least, points up a complete lack of responsible parenting, and I say that unequivocably, without reservation, and that on the part of parents on both sides of the equation.

Where were the birth mothers and sperm donors of the perpetrators all these years anyway? What were they doing, rather than giving responsible upbringings to their sons, huh? Oh I know--poor people, possibly on welfare, possibly racial minorities, but that does not absolve them of responsibility for the young lives they brought into this world, no way! On the same token, where was the guidance for the victim? Don't his parent(s) bear a whole lot of responsibility for whatever lack of judgement happened here, to precipitate this thing?

Am I attacking the victim? EMPHATICALLY NO!!!!! No person, certainly not a 15yr old boy, deserves what was done to him. But, it does seem to me that his parents weren't all that conscientious about steering him away from possibly less than savory acquaintances, less than savory street deals, for which I am sure they are awfully remorseful about now.

All that said, I see no alternative but to remove the perpetrators from society, take away their freedom for a LONG time, and that is sad too, for a teenager's life to be thrown away forcibly with a long prison term is a teenager's life destroyed in so many cases. Such a heinous crime as this cannot go unpunished, and such perps as these simply cannot be allowed to walk the streets for a LONG time as free kids or men, anything less than long incarceration simply would not fit the magnitude of what they have done.

As for the victim in all this, he's sentenced to pay, for days and months of pain and fear, and a lifetime of dealing with a world around him that will cringe at his scars. One can only hope that he will be able to forcibly put all this behind him, move onward and upward in life.

As for all the parents behind the scenes, what about them? Will they learn any real lessons from what happened? I have to wonder.

Biscuit

[september]

Folks until we stop awarding Michael Vick type behavior these types of sadist crimes will happen again and again and again. Next time don't be surprised or shocked. It will happen again. Next week,next month it won't be long. You have to look at the cause......the reward for Michael Vick type of behavior.

[taylor63]

Evil is a good word for this group. Two of them are brothers, from the same family so that tells me there is little to no supervision or accountability. These boys, all of them, are thugs, they are dangerous and need to be removed from society. If by some miracle they find God, then something good will come from this. As it stands, the victim will suffer horribly for years to come and the punishment should fit the crime. IMO

I agree I don't think they should ever get out of jail. If they had done this and were horrified by their actions, and showed remorse, and tried in some way to compensate the victim and his family. I might actually be in favor of parole at some point in the next 20 or 30 years,but the fact that they laughed when this kid was on fire shows me they don't have a soul left.

That poor boy will suffer the rest of his life not only physical pain,but emotional pain as well. I am sure he will probably be disfigured from this. At some point,he may return to school, and people can be so cruel about other people's physical apperance especially other kids. The emotional pain he may suffer from rejection and unkind remarks about his appearance might be almost about as bad as the physical pain for him, and as I said in my 1st post a burn injury is probably the worst pain there is physically.

[Kip]

[snipped]...but the fact that they laughed when this kid was on fire shows me they don't have a soul left. ....

To me, this is the most appalling part of this whole story. I mean, one might be able to make a case that these kids didn't think through the consequences of their actions. But to have actually gone through with the act, heard the victim's screams, and seen the horrific damage they caused to another human being...anyone with a bit of "soul" left would, at the least, been remorseful (if not suicidal). Apparently, one of the kids showed remorse.

But for the others, I hope they're tried as adults, and if they don't receive life sentences, I hope they receive good, long sentences that include making restitution to the victim for medical expenses and pain and suffering.

[Kip]

Michael still in critical condition; lots of people raising money for him

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-200910312305mctnewsservbc-teenonfire-fl32823oc,0,1592213.story

Prosecutor was supposed to announce charges tomorrow; instead will ask for 9-day extension.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/deerfield/sfl-burned-teen-extension-bn103009,0,7023992.story

[RootBeer]

By Rich Phillips, CNN
November 5, 2009 6:16 p.m. EST

Fort Lauderdale, Florida (CNN) -- She walked to the cameras and could barely look up. With her lip quivering, Sherry Jarvis apologized to the family of 15-year-old Michael Brewer, who is clinging to life in a hospital burn unit.

Jarvis is the mother of two boys who, along with three other youths, are accused in the burning of Brewer. Detectives say witnesses saw Brewer, consumed in flames, run about a hundred yards, tear off his shirt and jump into a swimming pool.

Brewer's screams can be heard on a 911 call from the October 12 incident. Doctors say he was burned on about 65 percent of his body.

"I'd just like to express how horribly sorry we are," Jarvis said in a public statement she and her family made Wednesday. Accompanied by her husband and two daughters, Jarvis spoke slowly as she addressed a gathering of reporters.

"This is a horrible incident that should have never had occurred." said Jarvis, her voice full of sorrow and shock. Her sons, ages 13 and 15, face charges that could send them to prison for a long time.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/05/florida.teen.burned.apology/index.html

[RootBeer]

By Rafael A. Olmeda and Rachel Hatzipanagos, Sun Sentinel
November 5, 2009

Sister of Deerfield burn victim finds charred dolls in pool

MIAMI -
Complications set in this morning for teenage burn victim Michael Brewer, who has been stabilized and remains in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Burn Center in Miami, his doctor said.

Dr. Nicholas Namias, director of the Burn Center, said Brewer suffered from an irregular heartbeat, prompting emergency treatment but not resulting in a more permanent downturn in the boy's condition.

"One of the problems we said could happen, happened," Namias said. "It came and it went. It has us worried. We don't want it to happen again. But this is why we have him in the [Intensive Care Unit]."

Since Brewer was brought into the Burn Center in the hours following the Oct. 12 burning incident, Namias has said he faces a long and difficult recovery that will be marked by possible infections and fluctuations in his condition. "There will be more surprises," he said. "We have to be ready for them, even though we don't know what they will be."

Brewer was attacked on Oct. 12 in Deerfield Beach when five boys doused him with alcohol and set him on fire, authorities said.

Brewer jumped into a pool outside the Limetree Village apartments to put out the flames. He remains in critical condition in the Burn Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

The boys, ranging in age from 16 to 13, are charged with aggravated assault. One of them, Jesus Mendez, 16, also is charged with attempted murder. The boys are due to be formally charged next week. Prosecutor Maria Schneider said while she's prepared to file charges without first interviewing Brewer, she's still hopeful she will get his firsthand account in time.

Investigators are also looking into a report that the adult sister of Brewer discovered two charred dolls floating in the pool in the family's backyard Wednesday afternoon.

According to the report released by the Broward Sheriff's Office, Melissa Durkee, 22, found the gate to her backyard open at 1 p.m. and found the two toy dolls, burnt and joined together heads to feet.

The dolls belonged to Durkee's two daughters, who had left them in the front yard of her Deerfield Beach home the night before, she told deputies. Durkee told deputies she heard her dog barking overnight.

Sheriff's office deputies have knocked on doors to see if neighbors had any information. No one has been arrested.

Brewer family members declined to comment about the incident Thursday.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Broward County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 954.493-TIPS (8477).

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/deerfield/fl-burned-dolls-20091105,0,6752626.story

[Kip]

That charred doll business is creepy.

[wcrapkin]

I have two strong suspicions. The first is a sad belief that despite the best efforts of the medical team, that the injuries sustained in the end will prove to be too much for the poor kid. That there will not be a happy ending. The second prediction is that the jury might never hear the 911 call. I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that the defense lawyers for these kids might argue that the judge should disallow the 911 call from being heard by the jury. If so their argument would be that the tape is more prejudicial than probative. They would argue that the 911 tape has no bearing on the guilt or innocence of their clients, and that the only thing it would do is inflame the jury so much that they would convict on emotion rather than evidence.

[BorderCollieMom]

Im happy to see at least a few of them are being charged as adults !

[birdwatch]

I have two strong suspicions. The first is a sad belief that despite the best efforts of the medical team, that the injuries sustained in the end will prove to be too much for the poor kid. That there will not be a happy ending. The second prediction is that the jury might never hear the 911 call. I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that the defense lawyers for these kids might argue that the judge should disallow the 911 call from being heard by the jury. If so their argument would be that the tape is more prejudicial than probative. They would argue that the 911 tape has no bearing on the guilt or innocence of their clients, and that the only thing it would do is inflame the jury so much that they would convict on emotion rather than evidence.

What is it about the 911 call that is prejudicial? I doubt I could stand to hear it - but would like to know about it from anyone who has heard it.

[Kip]

Im happy to see at least a few of them are being charged as adults !

Me too. Thanks for the news.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1325308.html

[annalyzer]

What is it about the 911 call that is prejudicial? I doubt I could stand to hear it - but would like to know about it from anyone who has heard it.

Hi Bird. You can hear the poor kid screaming in pain but I don't know how they'll make that prejudicial. But I don't doubt it either. :thumbdown:

[birdwatch]

Hi Bird. You can hear the poor kid screaming in pain but I don't know how they'll make that prejudicial. But I don't doubt it either. :thumbdown: Thanks annalyzer. I knew it must be somethig I didn't want to hear. I read recently that the burned boy diving into the swimming pool may have saved his life; thank goodness that pool was there. I hope he fully recovers and that he will be in the courtroom when these monsters are brought to trial. And before they put these guys away I hope they force them to visit burn units so that they can clearly "get" what they have done.

[Kip]

I don't know if a couple of these guys will ever get what they've done. They heard Michael screaming in pain and a couple of them laughed about it afterwards. That's one reason I think they should be charged as adults. It's not a case of them not thinking through the consequences of their actions and then being horrified at what they had done: They saw the consequences of their actions and laughed about it.

[Kip]

Michael Brewer speaks for first time after being burned:

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Burn-Teen-Speaks-for-First-Time-Since-Attack-69970907.html

Two days after he was taken off a ventilator, the teen spoke his first words yesterday, asking for a dollar so he could buy french fries and a milkshake, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

[birdwatch]

Michael Brewer speaks for first time after being burned:

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Burn-Teen-Speaks-for-First-Time-Since-Attack-69970907.html

Two days after he was taken off a ventilator, the teen spoke his first words yesterday, asking for a dollar so he could buy french fries and a milkshake, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Wow - that is really wonderful news! Thanks Kip. Give us real hope that he is going to recover.

[Kip]

Wow - that is really wonderful news! Thanks Kip. Give us real hope that he is going to recover.

I know...I got tears in my eyes reading about it - I guess because the request was so normal. (Although I wondered where you can get a shake and fries for a dollar!)

[Biscuit]

I know...I got tears in my eyes reading about it - I guess because the request was so normal. (Although I wondered where you can get a shake and fries for a dollar!)

Well,

I was in Clarian Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for 10 days, undergoing surgery for a bleeding brain aneurysm, and as the surgery meant cutting the muscles up the side of my head that close my jaw, I could only open my mouth enough for liquids and soft food. Believe me, when I asked for a chocolate shake, the nurses were only too happy to oblige.

I've not commented much on this case, but from day one, I have believed that Michael would survive, even though his ordeal is far from over. This is great news!

Biscuit

[Jayne]

Hi Bird. You can hear the poor kid screaming in pain but I don't know how they'll make that prejudicial. But I don't doubt it either. :thumbdown:

It's what the defense will try, I'm sure..the argument that the prejudicial effect from that 911 call being played to the jury would outweigh the probative value. I disagree, but I'm sure they'll try it.

It certainly is probative to hear the defendants' laughing (probative that their act was intentional especially by their laughter as their victim was writhing and screaming in pain (cold blooded, IMO) - so I doubt the defense will get away with keeping it out. I could imagine a proposed "deal" of the scream being "cut" but the laughing left in..now I wonder if the defense would go for that? All or nothing, IMO. I'd expect it to get into evidence. But, ya never know..

jmo

j

[Zentaar]

How do you confess and then turn around and say you are innocent? Wouldn't it be in their best interest at this point to simply put themselves at the mercury of the court? If I was the judge having to actually go through a trial at this point I would go for maximum sentence just for wasting the tax payers money and time.

[Kip]

How do you confess and then turn around and say you are innocent? Wouldn't it be in their best interest at this point to simply put themselves at the mercury of the court? If I was the judge having to actually go through a trial at this point I would go for maximum sentence just for wasting the tax payers money and time.

Welcome to the boards, Zentaar. It will be interesting to see what their defenses will be. I imagine the one who gave orders to the others will say he never expected the others to go through with it. Probably the one who poured the alcohol on Michael will say he never expected the plan to go past that. I'm not sure what the kid who lit the match can say. And the other two will say they never expected the others to do it, it was all just talk.

You never can tell with jury trials. They're probably hoping for a hung jury, though the crime is so horrific that it will be hard getting jury members on their side.

[Dogmatic]

I've read about this just yesterday. One article I read said that one of the boys showed remorse for his part in this horrible crime (as he should be). If so, I hope he's willing to talk to LE about everything he knows about the incident.

IMO, the boys should spend time at a rehab facility so they can see what burn patients have to go through during their physical therapy. I want them to see the impact that their actions have on Michael and his family.

:rose: Prayers for everyone affected.


He has pleaded the 5th, and imo, his remorse is only for getting caught and for the inconvenience this event has caused for him.

[Dogmatic]

How do you confess and then turn around and say you are innocent? Wouldn't it be in their best interest at this point to simply put themselves at the mercury of the court? If I was the judge having to actually go through a trial at this point I would go for maximum sentence just for wasting the tax payers money and time.


Because our judicial system is NOT about exposing the truth. Defense lawyers will get the confessions thrown out. The 911 call will not be heard. The five little darlings will be paraded into court seperately and point fingers at each other. Of course, they will be dressed like little alter boys with tears in their eyes, bearing gifts for their victim. The fact that they laughed about the incident during their interview with police, will be thrown out as well.

IMO, this will all be watered down to a tragic accident by young boys who had no idea the consequences or devastation of their action.

After all, all boys between 13 and 16 years of age commonly carry around a large bottle of isopropyl alcohol and a bic lighter..................

[Kip]

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/27/crimesider/entry5425204.shtml

Photo of suspects and of Michael in his hospital bed at above link.

...He's suffered extensive life changing burns that will require years of treatment and recovery over a lifetime."

Schulman said Michael will need a few more major operations, months of intensive therapy and may even need treatment for the rest of his life, particularly regarding his back and arms....

Brewer agreed to pay him back and he shook hands with Bent. That's when Bent screamed out, "Wait, wait, wait. Come back here," Bent said. Bent ordered his friend Denver Jarvis to "pour it on him." He was referring to a bottle containing rubbing alcohol.

Mother-of-Brewer-Suspects-Theyre-Not-Monsters-79215987.html (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Mother-of-Brewer-Suspects-Theyre-Not-Monsters-79215987.html)

...Brewer, who has been at Jackson Memorial Hospital since the attack happened, is still on his long road to recovery. His physical therapist, Barbara Diaz, told "Today" he's in a lot of pain.

"It's very painful, he's crying all the time," Diaz said. "Every now and then he goes back to 'Why did they do this to me?'"

Meanwhile, new details about the attack were released today that claim that more kids were involved in the attack than was first reported.

As many as nine teenagers surrounded Brewer during the attack, according to a report in the Sun-Sentinel....

[tv4me]

I just listened to the 911 tapes. Do you think the defense will use the fact that Michael said he didn't know who burned him as a way to get all those charged, off?

[Kip]

I just listened to the 911 tapes. Do you think the defense will use the fact that Michael said he didn't know who burned him as a way to get all those charged, off?

They might try, but I don't think it will be successful as LE has statements from multiple witnesses.

[Amy]

I just listened to the 911 tapes. Do you think the defense will use the fact that Michael said he didn't know who burned him as a way to get all those charged, off?

I would think that any reasonable DA or whomever is going to determine whether or not charges go forth would take into consideration the boy had to be in shock, not just physically but also mentally. There was a case shown the other day where a guy, his gf and and another girl were attacked by knife. The guy died, and the girls could not tell who had attacked them--and it was their next door neighbor. It took some time for them to remember the perp had been barefoot, and had worn socks on his hands.

I would imagine Michael would have trouble getting thru the pain to answer the who did it question. And, were any of the perps still standing there when the 911 call was made? Perhaps he wouldn't want to be naming names @ a time they could do more harm to him.

[Biscuit]

How do you confess and then turn around and say you are innocent? Wouldn't it be in their best interest at this point to simply put themselves at the mercury of the court? If I was the judge having to actually go through a trial at this point I would go for maximum sentence just for wasting the tax payers money and time.

I'm going to go out on a limb here, and plainly state there will be no winners here--every boy involved, along with their parents and siblings, have lost, and lost not just a great deal, but everything they ever held dear.

Michael Brewer will "recover", at least to the point that he will be able to navigate the world he lives in--but for years, perhaps forever, what was done to him as a result of a boyhood encounter and disagreement has brought on him physical and emotional scars that will last his entire life, I am afraid.

The four teenaged boys involved and charged? Well, their life, as they knew it before, is gone forever, burned to a crisp, just like their victim. No matter what happens in court, or in the aftermath, each and every one of them will enter life (once released from whatever incarceration the court rules) forever marked by what they did. It could well take until they reach middle age before they really get out from under the shadow, the dark cloud of their senseless act, that brutal attack.

And, the families involved? From what I gather, each and every family unit in all this were struggling before, and this means just an ever greater burden they each and all will carry for as long as they live too.
My heart goes out, not only to the parents, but the siblings as well--they had no direct part in all of this, but the events as they unfolded have put so much that they held dear not just at great risk, but in many ways, destroyed them as surely as if they had been fine crystal ware, dashed to pieces on a hard tile floor.

I'm willing to give the 13yr old a big "benefit of the doubt" here though. While he went along at the outset (a 13yr old can still be swayed by the power of an older brother, to get involved in something he may well never have done on his own), he at least has the courage to stand before a mike and a TV camera, and apologize, what utter confusion, self-doubt, indeed crushing emotions must be ruling his life now.

Over these next several months, we are going to hear lawyers say things that anger us--it was that way 2-3 years ago with Evan Corlija and Michael Kielty, the legal defense team for Michael Devlin as he faced sure justice for what he did to 11yr old Shawn Hornbeck for 1558 days, and Ben Ownby for 4 days. After the dust settled, the attorney for Shawn Hornbeck grudgingly admitted that the seemingly outrageous (and we were OUTRAGED here on these boards for their statements on behalf of MD) were, and are, a virtual requirement for a defense attorney whose client was wrestling himself over what he'd done. Corlija and Kielty stated on St Louis TV that they had that responsibility, to act as their client's spokespersons--even though after they'd seen the videotapes that MD made of himself brutally torturing Shawn literally making them sick. In the end, those two were very emphatic about their praise of Shawn, for his courage, his heroism in trying to minimize, if not prevent, some of the same things being done to a 13yr old Ben. I suspect, that once this case is closed, the final verdicts and sentencings are recorded, that the defense lawyers involved may well say similar things about Michael, the victim.

Again, no winners, no losers--everyone caught up in this awful case has lost tremendously. Yes, there are victories to be won here, but they won't change a single fact of the case.

Biscuit

[LiniAlkal]

That ****s pretty damn sick

The fact that they lured her nto the house, practically kidnapping here leaving here trapped is the most horrible part.

And the sick little **** who finds it entertaining to film it, can find it entertaining having it used as evidence against them.

[Justice4all]

The 15-year-old boy, who was severely burned in an Oct. 12 attack in Deerfield Beach, was admitted Sunday to Holtz Children's Hospital in Miami with respiratory problems, hospital spokeswoman Lorraine Nelson said.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/deerfield/fl-brewer-hospital-return-20100104,0,5277423.story

Please keep Michael in your prayers

[Jeepers]

Saying Prayers for Michael. He has been through so much.
Saying Prayers for his Mom and all of the family.:rose::rose:

[VC2]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/deerfield/fl-brewer-hospital-return-20100104,0,5277423.story

Please keep Michael in your prayers

I am, it sounds serious since he is in ICU :sad: Dear god i hope he recovers.

[Moondust]

Oh, this is so sad...:crying:


I was so happy when he was able to go home on Christmas...I pray that it wasn't too premature.

Prayers for Michael and his family...:rose:

[Justice4all]

I am, it sounds serious since he is in ICU :sad: Dear god i hope he recovers.

Doesn't sound good at all to me. :crying:

[Citygirl]

Awww..poor baby..keeping all good thoughts for him..:sad:

[GentleBreeze]

My thoughts and prayers are with you Michael.

Bless you and your family.

imo

[sunstar]

Praying for you, Michael :rose:

[GentleBreeze]

I am, it sounds serious since he is in ICU :sad: Dear god i hope he recovers.

Yes it does. They said he is in critical condition.:sad:

imo

[sunstar]

Yes it does. They said he is in critical condition.:sad:

imo

It also said he has asthma and the change in weather could've caused his respiratory problems ~ and I believe probably compounded by being burned over 65% of his body. :crying:

[ninetoes]

I am saddened to hear this. I will certainly be praying for Michael and his family.

[bree2]

Continuing and renewed prayers of healing for Michael. I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

[tv4me]

Should he not recover, will the monsters who set him on fire be charged with second or first degree murder?

[Justice4all]

Should he not recover, will the monsters who set him on fire be charged with second or first degree murder?

I would love for it to be first but I think it will be second

[aubrey04]

I just read this. How sad.. I hope he recovers.. his poor family.

:(

[BorderCollieMom]

Prayers for Michael & his family !!!

[Tia]

I have two strong suspicions. The first is a sad belief that despite the best efforts of the medical team, that the injuries sustained in the end will prove to be too much for the poor kid. That there will not be a happy ending. The second prediction is that the jury might never hear the 911 call. I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that the defense lawyers for these kids might argue that the judge should disallow the 911 call from being heard by the jury. If so their argument would be that the tape is more prejudicial than probative. They would argue that the 911 tape has no bearing on the guilt or innocence of their clients, and that the only thing it would do is inflame the jury so much that they would convict on emotion rather than evidence.


BBM
I truly hope that you are wrong. This case has really touched me. I was so sad to hear he was back in the hospital.:crying:

[sunstar]

I guess there haven't been any updates today? :sad:

[Cury-us Coyote]

I guess there haven't been any updates today? :sad:

Burned Florida boy suffers relapse


http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/01/05/Burned-Florida-boy-suffers-relapse/UPI-61311262712547/

[debbadoo]

My prayers to this poor young man. I hope he recovers.....he has a long painful road ahead. :(

[LglNrs]

Prayers for Michael's rapid recovery:rose:

[Tia]

Prayers for Michael.
This is such a sad case. Hoping he is back home again soon.
:rose:

[Kateyes]

It also said he has asthma and the change in weather could've caused his respiratory problems ~ and I believe probably compounded by being burned over 65% of his body. :crying:

You are so right, sunstar. As an RN I remember learning that the biggest threat to burn victims is not the burns themselves, but the systemic complications that occur - fluid and electroltye imbalance, and often, pneumonia and other lung problems. I was honestly surprised that he progressed previously without any setbacks. I had worked in ICU for a number of years, and it was all too common for a burn patient to seem to be doing well, and then succumb to one of the above issues. My prayersw go out to Michael and his family for a return to good health. This poor boy will have so much to deal with if he survives, but right now, IMO, he is in a fight for his life.

I wonder what the mother of the one boy would have to say now? A few weeks ago, right before Christmas, I saw a clip of an interview done with the mother of one of the perps. She was advocating that these "boys" get a second chance, and for the state to be lenient, give them rehabilitation in view of their young age, and not throw their lives away. I am paraphrasing, but this is the gist of what she said.
Michael Brewer, on the other hand, may die, and if even if he lives, he will never get a second to chance to live life as he would have had he not been maliciously set afire. That woman should love her son, even with knowledge of what he did, but she should realize that he needs to be held accountable for his crime. Sorry for the rant - I would have been ashamed to even be interviewed if one of the perps had been my son,JMHO.

[Kateyes]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-matthew-bent-deerfield-burn-bn-20091110,0,565263.story

Above is a link to an article where the mother of one of the perps - Matthew Bent - speaks about her son. She called him a good boy, and it looks like even the prosecuter feels he has "redeeming qualities".

[tv4me]

kateyes the prosecuter feels he has "redeeming qualities".

Perhaps I read the article wrong but I thought it said his defense thought he had redeeming qualities. (What else would his defense lawyer say?)

Well, according to the others charged, Brent is the one who planned the burning and encouraged it, even if he wasn't the one who pour the fuel or lit the lighter. If that's true, then he should be charged as adult. His father sounds like a real loser and a horrible role model. Not too surprising the boy turned out the way he did.

[sunstar]

You are so right, sunstar. As an RN I remember learning that the biggest threat to burn victims is not the burns themselves, but the systemic complications that occur - fluid and electroltye imbalance, and often, pneumonia and other lung problems. I was honestly surprised that he progressed previously without any setbacks. I had worked in ICU for a number of years, and it was all too common for a burn patient to seem to be doing well, and then succumb to one of the above issues. My prayersw go out to Michael and his family for a return to good health. This poor boy will have so much to deal with if he survives, but right now, IMO, he is in a fight for his life.

I wonder what the mother of the one boy would have to say now? A few weeks ago, right before Christmas, I saw a clip of an interview done with the mother of one of the perps. She was advocating that these "boys" get a second chance, and for the state to be lenient, give them rehabilitation in view of their young age, and not throw their lives away. I am paraphrasing, but this is the gist of what she said.
Michael Brewer, on the other hand, may die, and if even if he lives, he will never get a second to chance to live life as he would have had he not been maliciously set afire. That woman should love her son, even with knowledge of what he did, but she should realize that he needs to be held accountable for his crime. Sorry for the rant - I would have been ashamed to even be interviewed if one of the perps had been my son,JMHO.
Thanks so much for the reply :smile: I totally agree with you about the perp's mother, and I feel it is an insult to Michael and the quality of his life he will have now after her son participated in an act which left him burned over 65% of his body. It will be a long time (if ever) before Michael is totally "out of the woods", so to speak, and totally premature of her to speak of leniency for her son. I really wonder if she'd feel the same way if her son had been the victim of such a horrific act. MOO

[sunstar]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-matthew-bent-deerfield-burn-bn-20091110,0,565263.story

Above is a link to an article where the mother of one of the perps - Matthew Bent - speaks about her son. She called him a good boy, and it looks like even the prosecuter feels he has "redeeming qualities".
from the article ~ Weekes is the chief assistant public defender.

"Weekes said he planned to ask prosecutors to reconsider the decision to charge Bent as an adult.

"Matthew Bent is not the type of child who should be cast away for 25 years to the rest of his life," Weekes said. "He has redeeming qualities and he does have something to offer.""

[Amy]

Thanks so much for the reply :smile: I totally agree with you about the perp's mother, and I feel it is an insult to Michael and the quality of his life he will have now after her son participated in an act which left him burned over 65% of his body. It will be a long time (if ever) before Michael is totally "out of the woods", so to speak, and totally premature of her to speak of leniency for her son. I really wonder if she'd feel the same way if her son had been the victim of such a horrific act. MOO

In Kateyes post, the mother asks the state to "not throw their lives away" in asking for leniency for the "wayward" boys. I think she needs to realize who threw their lives away---the boys already did that on their own by burning another human being. THEY THREW THEIR LIVES AWAY, MOM. Don't you forget that. Plus, they made a mighty effort to throw away the life of their victim.

I am with you--I don't think for one minute she would be asking the state for leniency of the boys if it were her son lying in that hospital bed fighting for his life.

[peggyleggy]

These young men are at an age to realize the consequences of their actions. Their aim was harm Michael and they achieved that goal. They showed no compassion to him so in turn they don't deserve any for themselves.

[Martek]

Exactly!

JMO

[LglNrs]

Like Kateyes, I'm a RN & the complications from burns are what create so many setbacks.
Prayers for Michael's very best possible recovery.:rose:

[Kip]

These young men are at an age to realize the consequences of their actions. Their aim was harm Michael and they achieved that goal. They showed no compassion to him so in turn they don't deserve any for themselves.

Some of the boys laughed about their actions after the fact. One might be able to make a case that some of the boys didn't understand the consequences of their actions. But, IMO, anyone who laughed after hearing Michael's screams is past the point of being able to be redeemed.

[sunstar]

Some teens stayed to help as Michael Brewer burned

Not everyone ran away from Michael Brewer when he was lit on fire.

As he rushed to a community swimming pool to douse the flames engulfing his body, most of the teenagers who surrounded Brewer moments earlier ran away from him.

Three ran toward him, horrified at what they had seen, eager to help.

That choice, along with their cooperation with investigators, is why detectives and prosecutors never filed charges against Calvin Kenny, 15, Brandon Hand, 13, and his 11-year-old brother, Tyler Hand.

Recently released court records show officials unraveling the different roles

Court records released recently show how authorities determined the role played by each of the nine teens present during the attack. Three were charged. Evidence cleared the others of criminal wrongdoing, records show.

more at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/fl-brewer-participation-20100123,0,6495047.story

[Kip]

Michael speaks at bake sale - first public appearance (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Burned-Teen-Speaks-at-Bake-Sale-84039587.html)

A retirement home had a bake sale for Michael, and Michael showed up to thank them. Great photo of Michael at the link. I'm so glad his recovery is going so well, though it's far from complete.

Brewer's presence elevated the small gathering to a momentous occasion. The teen wasn't shy about showing some of the scars on his arms and legs and he did it with a smile. People posed with 15-year old Brewer like he was a rock star.

[Bezerk]

Michael speaks at bake sale - first public appearance (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Burned-Teen-Speaks-at-Bake-Sale-84039587.html)

A retirement home had a bake sale for Michael, and Michael showed up to thank them. Great photo of Michael at the link. I'm so glad his recovery is going so well, though it's far from complete.

Brewer's presence elevated the small gathering to a momentous occasion. The teen wasn't shy about showing some of the scars on his arms and legs and he did it with a smile. People posed with 15-year old Brewer like he was a rock star.

Thank you for the update on this story. I had been wondering about him since he had went into the hospital the last time but then heard nothing else. I hope his recovery continues to move forward as he starts a new chapter in his life.

[Tia]

Michael speaks at bake sale - first public appearance (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Burned-Teen-Speaks-at-Bake-Sale-84039587.html)

A retirement home had a bake sale for Michael, and Michael showed up to thank them. Great photo of Michael at the link. I'm so glad his recovery is going so well, though it's far from complete.

Brewer's presence elevated the small gathering to a momentous occasion. The teen wasn't shy about showing some of the scars on his arms and legs and he did it with a smile. People posed with 15-year old Brewer like he was a rock star.

Thanks for posting this. I am so glad to see he is doing so much better!

[sunstar]

Michael speaks at bake sale - first public appearance (http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Burned-Teen-Speaks-at-Bake-Sale-84039587.html)

A retirement home had a bake sale for Michael, and Michael showed up to thank them. Great photo of Michael at the link. I'm so glad his recovery is going so well, though it's far from complete.

Brewer's presence elevated the small gathering to a momentous occasion. The teen wasn't shy about showing some of the scars on his arms and legs and he did it with a smile. People posed with 15-year old Brewer like he was a rock star.

Oh this is such wonderful news!!! Bless his heart! :thumbsup: He does look great in the photo with the lady.