Racial tension at issue in Matthew Bent trial

Racial tension among jurors is at issue in the case of a Florida teenager drenched in alcohol and set afire by middle school classmates.

The six jurors who convicted alleged ringleader Matthew Bent in the fiery attack were interviewed Friday about whether race played a role in their deliberations. Bent is black and victim Michael Brewer is white.

Jurors were divided on the racial question. A judge will hear legal argument next week before deciding whether a new trial is warranted.

The 18-year-old Bent was convicted in June of aggravated battery for the 2009 attack on Brewer, who was 15 at the time. Brewer survived by jumping into an apartment complex swimming pool. Bent faces a possible 15-year prison sentence.

Friday was the third anniversary of the attack.