A judge will decide next week whether a 16-year-old girl charged with first-degree murder in the New Year's Day slaying of Toronto teenager Stefanie Rengel will be released from jail.
Family members and friends of the accused, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, packed a courtroom on Wednesday for the bail hearing.
The young woman did not make eye contact with spectators seated in the body of the court when she was led in by two guards.
When the Crown read out the allegations, which can't be reported because of a publication ban, the teen started straight ahead, showing no emotion.
The girl spent her 16th birthday in the Syl Apps Youth Detention Centre west of Toronto earlier this month. She was charged the day after Rengel was stabbed and left for dead on the sidewalk near her East York home.
The accused will spend at least another week in jail until the judge hands down the decision for bail next Wednesday.
"She scared and she's upset. She's feels terrible," defence lawyer Marshal Sack told reporters outside the courthouse.
"Given that she's 16, given that there's a sound and comprehensive and seamless plan for her release, she should be released."
A scheduled court appearance for a 17-year-old boy also charged with first-degree murder was delayed on Wednesday because of a backlog caused by walkouts by jail guards at two Toronto detention centres.
Rengel's friends allege the murder was the result of a love-triangle and teenage jealousy.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Chris Eby
