One of the teenagers accused of murdering Zeeshan Akbar has appeared in court for the first time since his arrest in April last year.
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The 16-year-old boy appeared in Queanbeyan Children's Court via video link from a forensic hospital where his lawyer said he had been transferred for investigation of his mental health.
When the boy appeared on screen the mother of the 15-year-old co-accused stared intently at the television screen, becoming agitated and mouthing obscenities at the defendant.
Both of the teenagers had numerous robbery related charges withdrawn and replaced with one charge apiece of robbery with an offensive weapon.
The 16-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of malicious damage which was brought against him after he damaged property while in custody at the correctional facility.
In the case of the older boy the defence lawyer requested the matter proceed on a section 91 timetable which allows for the defence to call witnesses to a committal hearing prior to a trial.
The defence lawyer for the 15-year-old boy said "we just want to get to trial as soon as possible". It will be decided at the next court date whether a committal hearing, the step prior to a trial, will be necessary.
Bail was not applied for in either case and both will reappear in court in late March.
