FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - A Broward circuit judge today appointed a psychologist to evaluate a 15-year-old boy accused of pouring rubbing alcohol on a Deerfield Beach teen who was then set on fire.
Circuit Judge Elijah Williams chose Dr. Lori Butts to perform a confidential psychological evaluation of Denver Jarvis, who is charged with aggravated assault.
Jarvis, his 13-year-old brother, and three other teens are accused of dousing 15-year-old Michael Brewer with rubbing alcohol and lighting him on fire Oct. 12.
Brewer is in critical condition today at the Jackson Memorial Hospital Burn Center.
The Broward Sheriff's Office said the attack came after one of the boys, Matthew Bent, 15, tried to steal a bicycle belonging to Brewer's father.
Authorities say Bent wanted the bike because Brewer didn't repay $40 he had borrowed to buy a video game.
Brewer called 911 when he saw Bent try to steal the bike. That got him labeled a snitch, the word used to taunt Brewer during the attack.
Williams appointed Dr. Michael Brannon to evaluate Jarvis to see whether the boy is competent to stand trial.
Brannon also is evaluating Jarvis' younger brother, Jeremy. The results of that test are due in court Wednesday.
During the hearing, Jeremy Jarvis stood in a dark green jail jumpsuit and conferred with his attorney.
One of the accused boys, Jesus Mendez, 15, also faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly lighting the fire, injuring himself in the process.
