Video by Lynn Beittel, Matt Binder of Visionary Video

A preliminary hearing in the death of island visitor Susan Brockert at a Kohala Coast resort has been postponed.

The hearing will determine whether Howard Philip Zimmerman will be tried in connection to the death of Brockert, who was his girlfriend, according to reports.

Appearing in District Judge Mel Fujino’s courtroom in Waimea on Tuesday, the 46-year-old resident of Bellevue Washington argued against the denial of his request to be represented by a public defender.

Judge Fujino postponed the hearing in order to consider Zimmerman’s request.

Fujino also decided to increase Zimmerman’s bail from $350,000 to $2 million.

An autopsy conducted on May 27 on the body of Susan Brockert determined that she died from multiple blunt force and sharp force trauma to the head and neck.

According to Zimmerman’s Facebook page, Brockert was awarded an all expanse paid trip to Hawaii by her employer, and apparently chose to bring Zimmerman along as her guest. Brockert is still listed as the one and only “friend” on Zimmerman’s account.

A number of witnesses to the deadly domestic altercation that occurred at the Fairmont Orchid were also in court on Tuesday, ready to testify at the preliminary hearing. They, along with Zimmerman, will return on June 7 to finish the hearing.

Zimmerman is charged with one count each of second-degree murder, kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening and second-degree criminal property damage. He could face life in prison without possibility of parole.