The preliminary inquiry of the teenage boy accused of killing 15-year-old Laura Szendrei in Delta, B.C. begins Monday at Surrey provincial court.
The accused -- who can’t be named because he was 17 years old at the time of the murder -- was arrested and charged with first degree murder in the brutal beating death of Szendrei last year.
The courtroom was packed Monday with Szendrei's family and friends who openly cried during proceedings. Rachel Szendrei, the victim's mother, cried throughout and her father, Mike, left the room at one point.
There was a loud gasp from the gallery when the accused, now 19, appeared in the prisoner's box. He showed no emotion and looked down most of the time.
New information is expected to be revealed over several weeks, including details of the murder weapon and whether the killing was random or targeted. Police previously said Szendrei was likely targeted when "an opportunity presented itself."
Szendrei was found clinging to life on a trail in suburban Mackie Park on Sept. 25, 2010 and died a day later in hospital. She was heading to a football game at a local high school when she was attacked in broad daylight.
