N.S. news: Teens charged with murder appear in court [Video]

HALIFAX –

A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance Friday in a Halifax courtroom on charges of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.

Crown attorney Terry Nickerson told provincial youth court Judge Bronwyn Duffy that he will be seeking adult penalties for both of the accused, whose identities are protected from publication under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The victim, Ahmad Maher Al Marrach, was found badly injured Monday in a parking garage next to the Halifax Shopping Centre, and he died later in hospital. A well-liked Grade 9 student at Citadel High School in Halifax, Ahmad and his family arrived in Canada after escaping the war in Syria several years ago.

The Al Marrach family issued a statement Friday offering thanks to those who have reached out to help them.

“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we wish to …