Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

Aaron Saucedo.

The man accused of being the “Serial Street Shooter” was not in the courtroom when he was arraigned Thursday in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Defense attorneys entered not guilty pleas for Aaron Saucedo after they waived his right to be at the hearing. The 23-year-old faces nine counts of first-degree murder and a host of other felony charges in connection with a rash of violent crimes that rocked Phoenix.

The defense had objected to a camera in the courtroom because it could hurt Saucedo’s rights, said attorney David Bodney, who represents a group of news outlets covering the case.

The judge ultimately decided to allow the camera.