Ralph Stanley Elrod Jr., the man accused of killing two Peach County deputies Nov. 6, appeared in Bibb County Superior Court on Wednesday.
Elrod's appearance was for the death of Deputy Daryl Smallwood, 39. The suspect's first appearance for the death of Sgt. Patrick Sondron, 41, was held last week in Medical Center-Navicent Health where Elrod was recovering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen sustained during a shoot out with law enforcement.
District Attorney David Cooke told Judge Tillman Self III it was Elrod's first appeared to apprise him of the charges against him.
PHOTOS: Man accused of killing Peach deputies in court
"Mr. Elrod, you have been charged with the offense of murder. Do you understand that?" Self asked Elrod after the shackled suspect was brought before the judge. Elrod was wearing an orange jail-issued jumpsuit.
Elrod told the judge he understood the charges.
Self told Elrod the murder charge has a maximum penalty of death, to which Elrod said he understood that as well.
The judge asked Elrod if he had a lawyer and he responded, “No, I don’t.”
The judge then asked him if he wants the court to refer him to the public defender’s office to see if he qualifies for an attorney at the state’s expense.
Elrod said, "Yes."
Elrod was released from the hospital Tuesday and booked into Bibb County jail where he is being held without bond.
Smallwood and Sondron went to Elrod's home the day of the incident after being called to the Byron neighborhood by a resident who said a man pulled out a gun on some people riding four wheelers.
Elrod is accused of shooting the two deputies after a brief exchange.