/*Adrian Esquer*/ and /*Anthony Hansen*/ pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges.
Even though two people were injured when police say the suspects opened fire inside the Visalia Mall. Esquer and Hansen are facing six counts of attempted murder because the district attorney's office says there were six victims at the scene.
Action News was at the video arraignment of Anthony Hansen and Adrian Esquer. Esquer and his attorney are standing next to Hansen, even though the video does not show them.
During the suspects' first court appearance, 18-year-old Anthony Hansen told a judge that his family does not have enough money to pay for an attorney.
Esquer and Hansen are both facing six counts of attempted murder. Each count has an enhancement for committing the crime under the direction of a gang and for a using a deadly weapon.
If convicted on the charges they face life in prison. Esquer's attorney, Victor Perez, told Action News that he hopes the intense focus on this case won't convict the suspects before their tried in court.
"As they sit in custody they are presumed to be innocent notwithstanding the fact that there's been a lot of media attention on this," said Perez. "I think the public should keep that in mind."
Perez said he is still waiting to receive police documents and evidence like gunshot residue tests. He said, "We've asked for ballistic results we've asked for any victim statements we've asked for the full surveillance video."
Surveillance video recently released by Visalia Police shows the two suspects running out of the Visalia Mall immediately after the shooting, and scared shoppers quickly running into stores.
Perez said, "You can imagine what kind of stress he's going through with these types of charges but these are allegations and we intend to defend him as best we can."
The two will be back in court next week where attorneys say they will ask for a lower bail and to set a date for their trial.
