Dzjokhar Tsarnaev, 21, the suspect in the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, appeared at a federal courthouse in Boston on Thursday. It was his first public appearance since his public arraignment in July 2013.

The short court hearing presided by U.S. District Court Judge George O'Toole Jr. was a final pretrial conference prior to the start of his trial on January 5, 2015, expected to last for several months.

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Tsarnaev entered the courtroom escorted by U.S. marshals wearing a black sweater and gray pants. The mop top hairstyle that he had in his mug shot was still there, matched by a thick and unkempt beard, reports Fox News.

The packed court room was filled with police officers involved in the case, some of the survivors, relatives and FBI agents.

When Tsarnaev was asked by the judge if he had waived his right to appear at previous hearings and if his defense team acted in his best interest, the accused replied "yes" to both questions.

One of Tsarnaev's lawyers told O'Toole of their plan to seek the delay in the start of the trial but did not give a specific timetable. The judge replied that he would rule on all pending motions, including the one to move the trial out of Boston, in writing.

The hearing was marred by Elena Teyer, the mother-in-law of Ibragim Todashev, when she shouted in Russian language that she is praying for the accused. She also urged Tsarnaev to be strong and expressed her belief he is innocent of the accusations.

Todashev was killed in Florida by an FBI agent in 2013 while interviewing him about a triple murder that involved Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the accused's older brother also believed to be involved in the marathon bombing.

The explosion killed three people and injured more than 260 when two bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 2013 marathon. Tsarnaev filed a not guilty plea to 30 charges. If found guilty, he could face the death penalty.

Some of Tsarnaev's supporters were holding placards outside the courtroom, asking if authorities have evidence that the accused is responsible for the blasts.

Tagsdzjokhar tsarnaev, first court, court appearance, Boston bombing, Boston Marathon