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The 16-year-old boy who is accused of killing a 19-year-old during a robbery last month made a court appearance today, and his victim’s family and friends were there to watch.

The suspect, who can’t be identified, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Karim Meskine. He was attacked and beaten on Dec. 17 near the New Westminster SkyTrain station and died in hospital three days later.

The victim’s family says the death of Karim has been very hard on them, particularly on his younger brother, who is developmentally challenged, and who leaned heavily on Karim.

“If you see my son’s skull, they break every part of his skull, they break the bone on his face, fracture his arm, broke his finger, puncture his lung, and you call that an incident?” asks Karim’s mother Julie.

“You cannot release him, for sure, they have to keep him. They have to sentence him for the maximum. As an adult.”

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Lawyers will be back in court next week, struggling over the bail issue. So far the 16-year-old remains in jail.