Judge to interview jurors in burned teen case

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida judge has decided to interview a jury that convicted a teenager of battery in an attack in which a classmate was set on fire.

The South Florida SunSentinel reported Friday that jurors in the Matthew Bent case will return on July 23. One juror wrote a letter to the judge saying she didn't understand his instructions or that she could have stood by her verdict of not guilty.

The 17-year-old Bent faces a maximum 15-year prison term for his aggravated battery conviction. Prosecutors say Bent orchestrated the 2009 burning attack on Michael Brewer, who survived by jumping into a swimming pool. Two other boys are serving prison terms for their roles in the attack.

Bent's lawyers are seeking a new trial.

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