DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.—The 15-year-old boy accused of severely beating a Deerfield Middle Student into a coma said his rage was set off when the girl commented about his deceased brother.

Wayne Treacy has been accused of first-degree murder for the March 17 attack of 15-year-old Josie Lou Ratley. Prior to the attack, the pair had been exchanging text messages about Treacy’s 13-year-old girlfriend, Kayla Manson, reports ABC News.

In the messages, Ratley allegedly called Treacy a “rapist” because of his relationship with Manson. However, once Ratley texted, “jus go visit ur dead brother,” Treacy’s rage was uncontrollable. The suspect’s brother was found hanging from a tree outside a church in October 2009.

The attack included Treacy allegedly punching Ratley in the head, smashing her head in the pavement and kicking her with a steel-toed boot. As a result, the victim suffered brain damage. Ratley’s mother said her daughter is recovering very slowly.

Detectives believe the attack was planned because of messages he had sent his friends. One read, “This [expletive] ran her mouth bout my bro who she knew is dead. Now I want her head.”

After the attack, a message from the suspect’s phone read, “I just tried to kill sum1. I’m going to prison.”

Treacy admitted to the attack in a videotaped confession; however, he has pleaded not guilty.

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