Top legal officials were yesterday staying tight-lipped over a trial date for teenage murder accused Justis Smith.

Smith is charged with the premeditated murder of Canadian schoolgirl Becky Middleton on July 3 last year.

But -- more than a year after the 17-year-old Belleville, Ontario, girl's death -- a trial date has still to be set.

Attorney General Elliott Mottley, who will lead the prosecution, declined to comment on the length of time taken to bring the case to trial. He said: "I have no comment whatsover on the case because it is pending.'' Smith, who has been in custody since last year, appeared for mention at the monthly arraignments session in Supreme Court on July 1 and was further remanded.

In June, Mr. Mottley said he expected a trial date for Smith to be fixed at that session.

It is alleged Smith, of Deepdale Road, Pembroke, murdered Ms Middleton in a night-time attack on Ferry Road, St. George's.

He was charged with Kirk Mundy, 21, who later pleaded guilty to being an accomplice after the fact. Mundy was jailed for five years last autumn.

If convicted of premeditated murder, Smith could face the death penalty.

Smith's defence lawyer Archie Warner said: "It's been a long time -- but we have nothing to do with setting a trial date.

Smith's lawyer concerned trial date still not set "We have been waiting for the evidence and a trial date. We've had neither.

It's causing me concern because my client is in custody. I'm looking forward to a trial date as soon as possible.'' Mr. Warner said: "I have no idea why there is this delay. We haven't even got the prosecution case, the evidence they are relying on, which they must give us before they have a trial.'' The delay has added to agony of Miss Middleton's family, who had hoped for a trial in the spring.

Ms Middleton's father David told The Royal Gazette last month: "We are just looking to have the trial and get this thing settled. We thought it would be all over by now.

"We would rather not have this kind of thing going on but we want to see this thing done right.''