PALM BEACH, Fla., July 18 (UPI) -- A Florida judge ordered a burn victim to write a 500-word essay after the teen, who was burned by classmates in 2009, failed to show up in court.
Michael Brewer was charged with possession of cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in March and failed to show up for a hearing June 27, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
Circuit Judge Caroline Shepherd ordered Brewer, 18, to write an essay about "how to manage different responsibilities including drug court."
He's expected to hand in the paper at his next scheduled hearing.
"Michael has been in substantial compliance with the drug court program," said Steven M. Pesso, Brewer's attorney. "He is doing very well personally and it's fully expected that Michael will complete the program and have no criminal record whatsoever."
A trial in the burglary case that led to Brewer being burned by his classmates is set to begin Aug. 21.
Matthew Bent, 18, is charged with burglary for allegedly trying to steal a custom bicycle from Brewer's property Oct. 11, 2009. Brewer's parents reported the incident to police, leading to Bent's arrest on the burglary charge.
Following the attempted burglary, Bent and a group of teenagers confronted Brewer outside an apartment complex in Deerfield Beach. One of the teens, identified as Denver Jarvis, poured a container of rubbing alcohol on Brewer. Jesus Mendez, another teen in the group, flicked a lighter to taunt Brewer, but ended up setting him on fire.
