FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Prosecutors will have an extra nine days to file charges against five Florida teens accused of setting a classmate on fire, a judge has ruled.
The Broward, Fla., Circuit Court judges handling the cases Monday gave the extension to the Broward State Attorney's Office to file criminal charges against the five, whom police say doused classmate Michael Brewer with rubbing alcohol and set him on fire, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
The newspaper said authorities are attempting to get an account of the Oct. 12 attack from Brewer, 15, who remained in critical condition in the Burn Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and is unable to speak. Family members said the teen was able recently to open his eyes for the first time.
The burn center's medical director, Dr. Nicholas Namias, told reporters he would be "pleasantly surprised" if Brewer's condition improved enough over the next nine days to allow him to speak with police, saying the teen remains on a ventilator and is heavily sedated.
Prosecutors have until Nov. 12 to decide whether the alleged attackers will stand trial as adults or juveniles and what charges they will face.
