Cameras were allowed Wednesday to film the first hearing for a San Jose teen arrested in connection to a string of armed robberies, a murder and a shootout with police earlier this month.

For the first time since his arrest on Friday, cameras were allowed to record 15-year-old Aldonis Muldrow during his preliminary hearing at a Santa Clara County courthouse Wednesday afternoon.

Looking calm and even disinterested at times, Muldrow, a tall lanky teenager, never spoke as a clerk read the numerous charges brought against him, including murder and attempted murder of a peace officer for his alleged involvement in a crime spree that took place Nov. 16.

Muldrow’s alleged partner, 26-year old Jonathan Wilbanks of San Jose was arrested the night of their alleged crime spree and was arraigned on similar charges the week before.

Muldrow had been on the run before being captured in concord last Friday night.

Because of the severity of the charges, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office decided to charge Muldrow as an adult, which was why cameras were allowed at the hearing.

“Anyone 14-years or older who is charged with a crime that faces life in prison or who personally uses a firearm during the commission of the offense can be filed on as an adult,” said prosecutor James Leonard.

Leonard said it is often a tough choice whether to try someone so young as an adult, but acknowledged in this case it wasn't a difficult decision.

"Typically we look at the severity of the crime as well as the background of the juvenile,” said Leonard. “I can't comment specifically on the background of the juvenile in this case, but I think the severity of the crime speaks for itself."

Leonard said it is often a tough choice whether to try someone so young as an adult, but acknowledged in this case it wasn't a difficult decision.

If found guilty, Muldrow will not face the death penalty or life in prison without parole, even though he is being tried as an adult.

Leonard said Wednesday that he wasn't sure at that point how the two cases, Muldrow and Wilibanks, would impact each other, but legal analyst Steve Clark told KTVU Wednesday that it would be significant.

"The big question in this case is the relationship between these two parties. How long have they known each other? What influence, if any, did the adult have on this 15-year old?” said Clark.

Both Muldrow and Wilibanks were expected to return to court on Dec 5 to enter pleas, .and both were being held in custody without bail – Wilibanks in jail, Muldrow in juvenile hall.