They arrived early, an hour before the judge started hearing cases on Thursday, taking up much of a long bench in the Queens courtroom. They were family members of Oscar Morel, the man charged with first-degree murder in the execution-style attack on an imam and his assistant on a sidewalk on Saturday afternoon.

The relatives had come to support Mr. Morel as he returned to Queens Criminal Court, facing charges that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole for an attack that has stirred fear and anger among Muslims in New York.

His family members called out to him during the brief hearing, telling him, “Love you, Oscar,” even though they were chastised by the judge. Mr. Morel, who turned 36 on Thursday, acknowledged them with a nod.

The relatives declined to talk to reporters. But as his father, who declined to give his name, walked out of the courthouse supported by two relatives, he said in halting English, “He don’t do it.”