The teen accused of murdering a man in Canberra's inner-north last week allegedly stole a mobile phone and $21 in cash from his victim, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The 17-year-old male, who cannot be named, made a brief appearance in the ACT Childrens Court charged with the murder of a 27-year-old man identified on the charge sheet as Liang Zhao.
The youth is also charged with aggravated robbery, and it is alleged he used a machete during the commission of the crime.
Mr Zhao's body was found outside a block of flats in Braddon on Thursday morning.
The university graduate suffered extensive head injuries.
The teenager was taken into custody on Saturday night after police searched a residence in Turner.
He was brought before ACT Children's Court Magistrate Karen Fryar this morning and did not apply for bail.
The boy's legal aid lawyer sought and received a 10-week adjournment with the consent of the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms Fryar marked the case as a "major matter", meaning it will become the responsibility of a single magistrate during the case management process.
According to the charge read out in court the teenager allegedly stole a HTC Desire mobile phone and a wallet containing $21 from Mr Zhao.
Members of the boy's family were in court for the brief hearing, and wept as he was formally remanded in custody.
The matter is due back before the court in October.