John Christopher Ralph is due back in court next Monday after the court during a brief hearing Monday denied him representation by a public defender.

Ralph is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his mother, Edith “Betty” Ralph.

General Sessions Court Judge Keith Bowers said Ralph failed to qualify for a county-appointed attorney based on his assets claimed on an affidavit. Ralph listed as his assets a house and eight acres of land, valued at $150,000, a 1969 Saturn, $25,000 in a 401K account, $2,000 in cash, and $2,500 in a checking or savings account.

Ralph, 51, after allegedly killing his mother attempted to leave the county, but was arrested by federal authorities at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

He is being held on a $1 million bond at the Carter County Detention Center, where he was booked in April 10. He is scheduled to reappear in court again Monday for a status report on retaining an attorney.