A young panhandler was ordered yesterday to face trial in the high-profile murder of St. Catharines resident Ross Hammond.

A teary-eyed Nicole Kish said she's confident she'll be acquitted, minutes after Justice Williams Horkins committed the 23-year-old woman to stand trial for second-degree murder.

But Kish also said she was "terrified" of joining what she called a long list of people wrongfully convicted.

Horkins decided Kish should face the murder charge after a preliminary hearing at College Park courts.

Kish will be in assignment court on Dec. 16 at Superior Court to set a date for trial.

"We expected this to happen, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm innocent of this crime," Kish said outside College Park courthouse.

A publication ban imposed at the preliminary hearing prevents the public from getting a "better understanding" of the weak Crown case against her, said Kish.

"I am terrified because wrongful convictions happen all the time in Canada, but I believe once people understand all the facts I'll be cleared," the emotional Kish said.

She's been on bail of $165,000 for more than two years since the stabbing death of Hammond, 32, on Aug. 9, 2007, during a conflict involving panhandlers on Queen St. W. near Niagara St.

The conflict arose after Kish and her friends asked Hammond and a friend, walking along Queen St., for money, but were refused. In the ensuing skirmish, Hammond was stabbed and later succumbed to his injuries.

Kish was also injured in the fight and underwent surgery.

Her lawyer, John Scarfe, said Kish comes from a supportive and loving family who have backed her along the judicial process.