Nic, you made me cry. I was 15 when I was DA'd. Not for anything particularly valorous like standing up for a friend!
Your poor brother! He hadn't learned much of the TTATT, just enoough to know to be loyal to a friend. I think that the WT creates a lot of the trouble that they see in ex JWs. Totally alienated by your society leads to outlaw behavior as you struggle to find a place. I am so glad you have each other again and especially that he overcame that early trouble became the man that he has.