Denver is expected to make her first appearance in court tomorrow.

Jennifer Tombs, 16, was charged with first degree murder after shooting Latanya Lavallais, 23, the good Samaritan who offered to look after the girl while her minister mother was out of town.

Denver deputy District Attorney Jason Dotson filed charges against Tombs more than a week ago in the Colorado city's District Court.

The accused did not appear personally, but was represented by attorney Kurt Metsger.

Tombs, although technically a minor, is to be tried as an adult. The charge carries a mandatory term of life in prison without parole.

Colorado also has the death penalty, but it is not known whether the District Attorney will seek a death sentence.

Tombs was originally held in a youth detention centre in Denver, but has now been transferred to the Denver City Jail.

Ms Lavallais, the daughter of Valeria Vermont, born Cox, died instantly after being shot five times at the Tombs' home in the Montbello area of the city.

She was only weeks away from starting a new life in her mother's home country of Bermuda, where she had already spent some months, working at Hamilton jewellery store Crisson's.

Ms. Lavallais died late on Friday, September 27 after turning up as arranged to babysit the girl -- who was electronically tagged and under house arrest in connection with other charges.

Her body was found at the Tombs' house the next morning after her step-father Errol Vermont, himself a preacher, became worried when Ms Lavallais had not returned home.

BERMUDIAN BDA