Teen accused of killing Maddy Middleton appears in court

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KTVU) - The 15-year old accused of killing Maddy Middleton was in court in Santa Cruz Thursday morning as the little girl's family and friends showed up outside, holding a small rally in her memory.

Before the doors to the courthouse even opened, they were there, carrying signs with her picture.

"It's the face of an angel. We want to make sure that she's represented here," saus Douglas Sottile, a close family friend.

Meanwhile, the 15-year old accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and murdering her, appeared in court to have a preliminary hearing date set.

Adrian Gonzalez sat expressionless as lawyers discussed his fate.

He'll be tried as an adult, but with extensive discovery and forensic evidence to process, the next court date will be several months off.

"Besides gathering all the police reports, we are gathering local school records, medical records, interviewing witnesses at the Tannery and throughout the county, in efforts to, to the extent possible get the back story," said public defender Larry Biggam.

And though he's only 15, prosecutors say they'll be handling this case just like they would any adult.

"In terms of presenting a case and looking at evidence and figuring out what the evidence means and where to go with it, it is really the same," said prosecutor Jeff Rosell.

Some of Maddy's loved ones didn't go inside the courthouse at all. They say they didn't come to see Adrian Gonzalez.

"I don't care about him. I have no thing either way. I believe in our justice system and i believe the truth will be uncovered through that process," said Sottile.

The preliminary hearing for Adrian Gonzalez is set for February 29th.