The 16-year-old Holder, who is currently living in Dover, will face the charge of second-degree murder on April 5, a family source confirmed yesterday.

Holder's lawyer, Mr. Andre Beauregard, has tried over the past few months to convince a Kent County Superior Court judge that the Bermudian should be judged as a juvenile for the beating death of Michael Keesser at a neighbourhood party last August 19.

Holder, who faces the charge with another 16-year-old and two 20-year-olds, is the son of Bermudians Mr. Charles Holder and Mrs. Dawn Madeiros, now divorced.

If convicted as an adult, the teenager could be sentenced to as much as 20 years in prison.