SAN FRANCISCO -- As friends of a man and a woman slain at a Japantown bar stood in a San Francisco courtroom holding carnations, the man accused of killing their friends pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

The friends also held pictures of 22-year-old Kam Yan Li who, along with Song Sun Lee, 34, was murdered the night of Oct. 24 outside a bar called "The Flow."

Joseph Melcher, 25, looked calm during his second court appearance in San Francisco Superior Court today as his attorney entered the not guilty plea.

His attorney, Anthony Gibbs, also denied special allegations of multiple murders against his client. Those allegations would make Melcher eligible for the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.

Melcher was arrested shortly after the shootings. According to police, he went into the bar and opened fire, killing Lee and injuring an unidentified female bartender.

He then left the bar and shot Li in Peace Plaza, according to police. Li died early the next day.

Friends who came out today to watch the arraignment said they are sad and shocked at the untimely death of Li, who usually went by the name Steven.

"Hopefully the judge will be hard on this man," said Wendy Choi, who took classes with Li at City College in San Francisco. "Crazy people like this shouldn't be allowed in public."

Melcher is expected to make his next court appearance on Dec. 6 for a date-setting hearing.