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Teen gets 7 years for setting boy on fire on bus
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OAKLAND (AP) — A 17-year-old boy who set another teen’s clothes on fire on a public bus has been sentenced to seven years at a California juvenile facility.

Authorities say Richard Thomas, of Oakland, told investigators he was homophobic, and he was charged as an adult with hate crimes. He was sentenced Friday after reaching a plea deal on an assault charge.

Sasha Fleischman suffered second- and third-degree burns when the skirt the teen was wearing was set on fire in November 2013.

Fleischman identifies as neither male nor female.

Thomas’ attorney, William Du Bois, says his client engaged in a prank that went wrong.