LAS VEGAS -- New murder charges have been filed in the shooting death of a Palo Verde High School student.

Christopher Privett, 15, was the victim of a drive-by shooting earlier this month.

Now the driver is facing murder charges along with the alleged shooter.

Ezekial Williams, 19, has gone from an accessory to murder to the much more serious charges of conspiracy and murder, along with a number of other charges including assault and battery.

Attorneys for the two suspects are preparing for next month's preliminary hearing.

Williams and alleged shooter Gerald Davison, 16, stood side by side in court Monday, not saying a word, listening to the proceedings.

Their attorneys spent most of their time trying to schedule the start of the preliminary hearing.

Outside the courtroom, Williams’ attorney admitted his client is facing a much more serious situation.

“They amended the charges to include conspiracy, murder and multiple other charges that fall within that assault battery, firing a firearm,” said attorney Brent Bryson said.

Up until now Williams was facing a lesser charge of accessory.

Williams’ mother, who was also at the court appearance, wouldn't comment on the shooting, but she did speak about her son.

“I'm just trying to encourage him, tell him everybody's praying for him. What more could I do?” said Williams’ mother, Caren Jones.

Police said Williams was driving the car that opened fire on a group of Palo Verde High School students on Feb. 15.

Davison has admitted to pulling the trigger.

His attorney said that admission to police concerns him.

“It’s a concern for me for a number of reasons. No. 1, was it lawfully obtained? Because that is our first question. Did police violate Mr. Davison's constitutional rights in obtaining the statement? Secondly, what exactly did he say? What you are seeing is hearsay, second-hand accounts of what he said,” said public defender Edward Kane.

Davison told police he was just trying to scare, not to kill.

No formal bail request was made by either of the attorneys.

Williams is among the general population, but Davison, because he is a minor, remains in isolation.

The judge set March 19 as the date for the preliminary hearing for both Williams and Davison.