Ohmeed Popal, the man who ran down 18 pedestrians last week, appeared in court today, dressed in the prison jumpsuit and looking "bewildered" at the proceedings. Popal first pled not guilty to the murder of the Fremont pedestrian who died, but his attorney quickly withdrew that plea pending a psychiatric examination. Popal, who is currently in custody at SF General's psychiatric ward, will return to court on Friday after the examination is completed.

It was a tearful scene in the courtroom, as Popal's relatives cried and relatives of the injured victims cried as well. Two nieces of a victim said they'd spoken with Popal's family and said that "we're praying for them, we're not mad at them." Popal's cousin, who had attended SJSU with him, said that Popal had always been happy and helpful in the past, but that today "I saw a changed man."

Judge Donna Little admonished all sides about not releasing "bits and pieces" of information and barred the press from showing Popal's face, head, feet, or hands -- but declined to enter a gag order.