The families and friends of the two suspects -- Bryan Barnes and Javier Bolden -- attended the hearing. Several Chinese students and Chinese media also went to the courtroom. 

The whole process lasted about 20 minutes before Judge Shelly Torrealba announced the next setting date for the preliminary hearing. Whenever the preliminary hearing is held, the judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to move the case forward to trial.

"it may be one of the strategies of defense attorneys and defendants have the right to ask for more time to prepare," said Deng Hong, a Chinese attorney in the courtroom. "After such a long time witnesses may not remember what had happened as clearly as months ago and this can be one advantage for the defendants. Since for a major criminal case, like this one, if convicted, the defendants can be sentenced to prison for life or even death penalty."

One USC graduate student also expressed his feelings.

"I feel helpless…. I hope there will be a result as soon as possible…I will come here on Dec. 12th and follow the updates," said Haowang Wang.

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