Teen murder suspect held in custody
Visibly injured, a bandage wrapped around his hand, the 15-year-old boy accused in the weekend killing of another teen appeared briefly in a Toronto courtroom Tuesday.
The boy, who can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Jack Meldrum, 15, Saturday near Sherway Gardens.
Wearing a hooded black Nike sweatshirt, the boy appeared to have difficulty moving within a glass prisoner’s box when briefly brought into the court. He was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing.
His lawyer, George Aristos, said his client’s back was injured and he was hospitalized after the weekend incident.
At the time of Saturday’s alleged murder, the accused was out on bail after he was charged in an April incident where it was alleged he attempted to steal from another youth while armed with a knife. He was released on $500 bail.
The boy’s father was in court Tuesday but left without speaking to reporters.
Police have said they were summoned to Sherway Gardens Rd., near the Queensway and the West Mall, just before 10 p.m. on Saturday by a report of a stabbing. Officers on scene found a man and two boys suffering from trauma, and all were taken to hospital.
According to a Facebook post by Steve Meldrum, his son Jack was “robbed and killed in a senseless act of violence near Sherway Gardens.”
Americo Eduardo Quiroz told the Star his nephew, Kristopher Quiroz, 19, was injured in the incident. In a Facebook post, Quiroz said his nephew was pronounced dead and revived minutes later, and as of Monday night was in intensive care.
Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have seen Meldrum or who has information about his whereabouts Saturday to call police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416222-TIPS (8477).
The accused boy is scheduled to appear back in court next month.