The man accused of the stabbing death of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer of Abbotsford now has a lawyer in place.

Gabriel Klein appeared via video on Thursday morning in Abbotsford provincial court, and Vancouver defence lawyer Michael Bozic indicated he is now Klein’s counsel.

Bozic said he had just received the documents in the case, and Klein’s next court appearance was scheduled for Jan. 27, at which time the judge said he hopes a date can be set for the preliminary inquiry.

Klein did not speak during the brief appearance. He looked at and bit his fingernails as he stood in the video room, and stared into the camera.

Klein, 21, has been charged with second-degree murder in relation to Reimer’s death as well as the aggravated assault of her 14-year-old friend, whose name is protected under a publication ban.

The two were stabbed in a random attack Nov. 1 in the rotunda of Abbotsford Senior Secondary.

Reimer was airlifted to hospital, where she died of her injuries. Her friend spent some time in hospital recovering, but has since been released.

Klein had initially refused to talk to lawyers and, on a couple of occasions, had to be wheeled into the courtroom or video room in a wheelchair after refusing to leave his cell.

Klein’s appearance on Jan. 27 is scheduled for 11 a.m. by video in Abbotsford provincial court.