The family of a 15-year-old girl accused of murdering a man following a street row wept as she appeared in court along with three others.
Lorry driver Darren Kelly, 42, from Basildon, Essex, was stabbed to death a couple of miles from his home on Tuesday night.
Four people today appeared in the dock at Chelmsford Magistrates Court in Essex accused of his murder.
A girl, aged 15, from Pitsea, a boy, aged 17, from Pitsea, a boy, aged 16, from Basildon, and Chris Carroll, 20, of Pevensey Close, Pitsea, have all been charged with his murder. None of the youths can be named for legal reasons.
The small courtroom was packed with relatives of the accused, who broke down in tears during the brief hearing.
Wearing the same red tracksuit that all the defendants wore, the girl flashed the peace sign at her family and mouthed "I love you" as she was led out of the dock.
She stood in the middle of the two teenage boys and they each spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses.
As the clerk read out the murder charge, many of the relatives in the small courtroom wept and had to hold on to each other for support.
Carroll, who had a tattoo on his neck and was also dressed in a red tracksuit, appeared in a separate hearing before the three youths. He smiled and yawned as he was led in to the dock.
Members of his family shouted "love you Chris" at the end of the brief hearing and he replied "love you" back.
All four were remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 27. The youths were remanded in youth detention accommodation.
A 13-year-old girl from Basildon who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on police bail until December 16.
A post-mortem examination found that Mr Kelly died from stab wounds and blood loss.