tagged w/ Michael Brewer
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Burned teen turns 16, calls accused attackers 'jerks'
By Rich Phillips, CNN Senior Producer
October 12, 2010 1:13 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Michael Brewer celebrates his 16th birthday at a Florida retirement home
* Residents befriended teen during his yearlong recovery from severe burns
* Other boys allegedly set Brewer on fire in dispute involving $40 and bicycle
* Three teens await trial on attempted second-degree murder charges
Wilton Manors, Florida (CNN) -- The birthday boy seemed a bit overwhelmed from the moment he walked in the door.
Michael Brewer came to his 16th birthday party at the Florida Senior Living community as its adopted grandson. He was shy, a little awkward, but, then again, not every birthday party comes with reporters and television cameras.
However, for the past year, Michael has not been an average teen.
Michael was set on fire a year ago Tuesday following a dispute with three teenage friends over a DVD, $40 and a bicycle.
His arms and neck carry scars, and Michael said he's undergoing therapy because he's still bitter and angry.
"Yeah, I am a little bit," he acknowledged. "But I'm taking therapy to get rid of the anger and stuff."
He was burned over 65 percent of his body and spent more than two months at the University of Miami's J.M. Burn Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
"All I remember is having nightmares," Michael said.
As Michael entered the senior center, called Independence Hall, residents serenaded him with "The Golden Girls" theme song: "Thank You for Being a Friend."
Michael had passed the time watching "The Golden Girls" reruns during his lengthy hospital stay.
"A lot of our prayers and thoughts have been with him," said resident Kay Manne, who has spent time talking with Michael.
"He's grown. I said, 'Mikey, you're taller than I am,' " she laughed.
Michael, a Giants fan, was treated to a football field-shaped birthday cake and an autographed picture from Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Aside from the occasional celebrity visit -- Ozzy Osbourne spent a couple of hours with Michael one day -- he's trying hard to be a regular 16-year-old.
He's no longer in physical therapy, and he's no longer taking medication. He said he wants to go to college and hopes to be an FBI agent.
Michael was burned over 65 percent of his body after other teens allegedly set him on fire.
Michael was burned over 65 percent of his body after other teens allegedly set him on fire.
His father said he's trying to keep the lines of communication open with his son.
"I tell him, 'Mike, anything ever bothers you, I'm always here. Talk to me, talk to your mother, talk to your grandmother,' " Michael Brewer Sr. said.
"He's got a lot of good friends now that he hangs around with," he added.
The three former friends who are accused of setting him on fire remain jailed. No trial date has been set.
Michael told CNN he'd like to deal with them himself.
"Yes, I would," he said.
"But it's over and done with. They're getting what they deserved," he said.
The three teens, Denver Jarvis, Mathew Bent, both 15, and Jesus Mendez, 16, have been charged as adults with attempted second-degree murder.
CNN tried to reach their defense attorneys, seeking a response to Michael's statements. Valerie Small Williams, the attorney representing Jarvis, said, "I have no reaction. I have no comment."
Attorneys for the other two defendants did not return CNN's calls.
Sheriff's detectives said the attack on Michael started over a video game and a bicycle. They gave the following account: One of the boys, Bent, demanded $40 he said Michael owed him; when Michael didn't pay him, police said, Bent allegedly stole a bicycle belonging to Michael's father.
Michael fingered Bent to police, who arrested the teen. The next day, after Bent was released, the three teens found Michael and allegedly surrounded him. Police said witnesses told them his attackers called Michael a "snitch."
Detectives said witnesses told them Mendez used a lighter to set Michael on fire after Jarvis poured alcohol over him. Bent allegedly encouraged the attack.
Mendez later admitted his role to investigators, acknowledging that he made a "bad decision," according to an arrest transcript.
Witnesses told firefighters that Michael ran about 100 yards to an apartment complex pool, where he dove in, to save himself.
"I think the pool helped a lot," said paramedic Bobby Goss of Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue, who was one of the first on the scene.
"Running to the pool, it probably kept the flames away from his airway and face, and it put the fire out very quickly," he said.
Michael told CNN's John Zarrella that he's prepared to see the teens again -- in court. He said he's willing to testify.
"I think they're just jerks, and they got what they deserved," he said.Burned teen turns 16, calls accused attackers 'jerks'
By Rich Phillips,... more
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Kayla Manson, 13-Year-Old Girl, Says ‘C*nt’ TWICE On ‘Today’ Show
Huffington Post
Danny Shea
06-10-10
Warning: Explicit Video
It’s been over two years, but the “Today” show had the ring of Jane Fonda Thursday morning when a 13-year-old guest said the word “cunt” twice on the show.
Click to See...(GRAPHIC VIDEO) 13yo Kayla Manson Says ‘C*nt’ TWICE On ‘Today’ Show…http://ctpatriot1970.wordpress.com/2010/06/11/graphic-video-13yo-kayla-manson-says-cnt-twice-on-today-show-bff-josie-ratleys-attack/
Kayla Manson, a 13-year-old Florida girl accused as an accomplice after her boyfriend allegedly attempted to murder her best friend, recalled the text messages that her friend and boyfriend exchanged before he attacked her.Kayla Manson, 13-Year-Old Girl, Says ‘C*nt’ TWICE On ‘Today’... more
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Three of the five teenagers accused of setting fire to 15-year-old Michael Brewer of Deerfield Beach will be charged as adults, the Broward State Attorney's Office said Monday.
Denver Jarvis and Matthew Bent, both 15, and Jesus Mendez, 16, were charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder.
Adult charges have not been filed against Steven Shelton, 15, or Jeremy Jarvis, 13. Those two were released from custody on Monday, but prosecutors have not ruled out charging them as adults in the future.
"This is a very active, ongoing investigation,'' assistant state attorney Maria Schneider said. "As additional information becomes available, then we have the option to revisit our filing decision.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1325308.htmlThree of the five teenagers accused of setting fire to 15-year-old Michael Brewer of... more
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Attempted murder charges were filed against a 15-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon and another teen was charged with aggravated battery, bringing to five the number of teens charged with intentionally setting a boy on fire in an argument that started over a video game.
15-year-old Jesus Mendez was charged with attempted second degree murder Tuesday afternoon, while the four other teens now face charges of aggravated battery. All five have been charged as juveniles, reports CBS station WFOR-TV in Miami.Attempted murder charges were filed against a 15-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon and... more
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Two South Florida teens accused of dousing a Deerfield Beach 15-year-old boy with a flammable liquid and then setting him on fire have made their first juvenile court appearance.
During the hearing the judge ordered that Jesus Mendez, 15, and Steven Shelton, 15, be held for the next 21 days in juvenile detention while prosecutors decide if they will be charged and tried as adults. He then scheduled the next hearing in the matter for November 2nd.Two South Florida teens accused of dousing a Deerfield Beach 15-year-old boy with a... more
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