SAN FRANCISCO -- A driver accused of murdering a pedestrian with his sport utility vehicle in a hit-and-run rampage that injured 18 other people appeared in court Wednesday for the first time as his family members and relatives of his victims sobbed.

The arraignment of Omeed Aziz Popal, 29, was postponed until Friday so he could undergo further psychological testing.

Defense lawyer Sandy Feinland initially entered not guilty pleas on the Fremont man's behalf, but later withdrew them, saying his client would delay entering a plea while he received more evaluation.

Popal is charged in San Francisco Superior Court with 18 charges of attempted murder, 18 felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, a felony count of battery on a peace officer causing injury and a felony count of reckless evasion from police.

He also faces a murder charge in Alameda County where he allegedly began his deadly driving Aug. 29 by mowing down a Fremont man. He then drove his SUV to San Francisco where he struck pedestrians in the street and sidewalks of residential neighborhoods.

Popal has "a documented history of severe mental illness and recent breakdowns," Feinland said.

Popal's family has said he was suffering from mental problems and having difficulties with his medication at the time of the incidents. Some also said Popal's recent arranged marriage in Afghanistan had caused him anxiety.

The most seriously injured survivor of the midday spree was a 43-year-old massage therapist paralyzed from the neck down after the Honda Pilot allegedly driven by Popal smashed her against a parked car.

In court Wednesday, Popal stood unshaven in an orange jail jumpsuit with his head lowered, hands and feet shackled, barely glancing at the dozens of supporters, including his parents, from Fremont's close-knit Afghan immigrant community.

Popal's voice was barely audible, and he appeared to need prompting by his attorney to answer yes-or-no questions asked by Judge Donna Alyson Little, who called Feinland into her chambers after failing to get a response.

Outside the courtroom, a niece of one victim said she and her family grieved for Popal's family as well as their own.

"We are not angry at this man. We know he needs help," said Shonna Hall, whose uncle remained hospitalized with two broken legs and a fractured pelvis.

A cousin of Popal who attended San Jose State University with Popal several years ago said the man he saw in court was not the man he knew in college.

"He was always a happy person," said Mihdi Mirzada, 31, of Fremont. "I did not know he had these problems."