14-year-old charged in fatal stabbing of Toronto senior appears in court

A teen charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a senior in a North York plaza parking lot appeared in court Monday.

The 14-year-old wore an orange jumpsuit and sported a wrist brace. The teen talked very little, only speaking up to answer questions from the judge. He is being held at the Toronto Police Service's 14 Division and appeared in court via video.

Toronto police said in a news release Sunday that the teenager had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, following a coordinated effort by multiple police units.

His matter was adjourned and he is set to appear next in court on July 28 at 10 a.m.

Court heard that Micaele C.K. Zaffina from Dallas Criminal Defence has been retained as the teen's counsel. Zaffina requested time to speak with the teen, telling court he had not yet done so. 

Due to his age, the teen's name and photos cannot be broadcast under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Shahnaz Pestonji, 71, was loading groceries into her car when she was attacked last Thursday, police said.

When officers arrived, they found her with stab wounds. She was taken to hospital, where she died.

Police said they believe that the incident was "a robbery that escalated into a deadly attack."