Prosecutors have refused to accept an admission of manslaughter from a youth charged with the high-profile Melbourne murder of young woman Laa Chol.
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The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, faces one charge of murder over the death of Ms Chol, 19, at a city apartment on July 21.
He faced a Children's Court on Tuesday via video link and his lawyer said that an offer to plead guilty to manslaughter had been refused by prosecutors and his client was yet to make a plea to the murder charge.
"An offer to plead guilty to manslaughter was rejected by the Crown."
Ms Chol died after she was allegedly punched, kicked and stabbed as her mobile phone was stolen.
The teen, wearing a plain white oversized t-shirt, was not required to speak during the brief court mention.
The magistrate adjourned the matter to a committal hearing on March 8, 2019.
Family and friends of Ms Chol were in court on Tuesday and a number of them cried once the matter was over.
Australian Associated Press
