Suspect in chase and crash that killed sisters in Fresno appears in court

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Five days after an SUV plowed through a Central Fresno bedroom, killing two bystanders, the driver appeared before a county judge on Monday.

Adam Canales was in court for the first time since prosecutors charged him with two counts of murder, evading an officer, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Action News cannot show his face in court, but Canales had two black eyes.

They were not in his mugshot from last week.

Investigators say Canales sped off in a Chevy Tahoe as gang enforcement officers patrolled Southeast Fresno.

Deputies say Canales refused to stop his SUV.

Just 27 seconds later, Canales' vehicle crashed through a house, killing 25-year-old Mang Yang and 18-year-old Eliza Yang.

Neighbors are now supporting the victims' family.

"This community is praying for them," Tanya Loveless previously told Action News.

"This community is here for them. Whatever they need, whatever we got to do, we're going to do it."

The Fresno County District Attorney's Office has upgraded the charges against Canales from manslaughter to two counts of murder.

Action News legal analyst Tony Capozzi says the charges hinge on implied malice.

"We're implying by his actions that there's malice in his heart to kill someone.

It's a stretch, but that's what the law says," Capozzi said.

Canales was supposed to answer his charges and enter a plea on Monday.

Instead, he asked the judge for a one-month delay to hire a private attorney.

He is now held on more than $2 million bail and is due back in court on November 21.

Depending on his plea, the case could head to a preliminary hearing and eventually a jury trial.

"There's two deaths here," Capozzi said.

"There's a price to pay. There's no question about that, but how big of a price should it be?"

Canales is 18 years old and was already on probation for having a firearm. He could now face up to 30 years to life in prison if convicted of the four charges.

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.