the charge he murdered Canadian teenager Rebecca Middleton.

Following a closed hearing, Magistrate Edward King ruled there was sufficient evidence for Smith, 17, to be tried on the charge.

Before the hearing Mr. King cleared the court of spectators, including the media and Smith's father.

Smith is charged with premeditated murder in the July 3 incident, which caused shockwaves throughout the Island. An autopsy revealed Ms Middleton died from shock and haemorrhage as a result of 35 stab wounds.

Smith's alleged accomplice, Kirk Orlando Mundy, last week pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder after the fact and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Mundy, a Jamaican national, is expected to be a key witness against Smith, who is expected to go to trial in the Supreme Court early next year.

Smith was meanwhile remanded in custody pending a December 2 Supreme Court appearance. Defence counsel Archie Warner has indicated Smith will plead not guilty to the charge.