EDWARDSVILLE - A Southern Illinois teenager faces seven years in prison for his role in the beating death of a homeless man for a can of beer.

Brandon Carol Bouck, 19, of Granite City was sentenced Tuesday in Madison County court. He and Joseph Lee Raines pleaded guilty earlier this year to fatally beating 48-year-old Thomas Muffler.

The teens punched and kicked Muffler last October after he refused to buy them beer, authorities said. After the beating, the teens stole a 24-ounce can of beer from Muffler.

Muffler suffered broken ribs that penetrated a lung; he later died from pneumonia.

Bouck's attorney, John Rekowski, said it was a tough case and Bouck accepts the sentence.

Raines is scheduled to be sentenced next week.