Eighteen-year-old Sasha Fleischman was set on fire on an AC Transit bus earlier this month, in what authorities believe is a hate crime. Fleischman, who was badly burned on his legs, made it home in time for Thanksgiving. He says the 16-year-old accused of the attack shouldn't be charged as an adult.
Three weeks after suffering second- and third-degree burns when the his skirt was set ablaze, Fleischman spoke with reporters on Thursday.
He said suspect Richard Thomas, 16, of Oakland, "probably didn't realize how big of a deal it was going to be, how harmful it would be.''
"I don't want to be too harsh because people do dumb things, especially when they're teenagers. If I had my way, I'd have him tried as a juvenile,'' Fleischman said.
The Associated Press reports that "prosecutors have charged Thomas as an adult with aggravated mayhem and felony assault, with hate crime enhancements. Police said Thomas told investigators he was homophobic." Thomas' lawyer, William DuBois, argued at a hearing earlier this week that his client should be charged as a juvenile. An Alameda County judge plans to issue a ruling on the matter Dec. 20.