An Anne Arundel County grand jury indicted an Annapolis High School student yesterday on charges stemming from the brutal beating of a schoolmate whose injuries were so severe he was in a coma for two weeks.

Brian C. Plattenburg, 16, of the first block of Bens Drive in Annapolis was charged as an adult with first-degree assault, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, and reckless endangerment, which carries a sentence of up to five years.

Plattenburg is accused of beating Melvin "Bird" Holland, 17, and kicking him in the head March 23 in a dispute over firecrackers in school.

Holland was suspended in March after Plattenburg told authorities Holland had set off firecrackers. Later, Plattenburg accused Holland of complaining about him and attacked Holland, the indictment charges.

Holland was kicked in the head and lapsed into a coma the next day. He is undergoing rehabilitation, the state's attorney's office said.

Pub Date: 5/11/99