This story was last updated on: 5:35 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017.

A judge ruled during a hearing Wednesday that Markeith Loyd — who reiterated his wish to represent himself at trial — has a week to enter a plea on the many charges he is facing.

Wednesday was Loyd's fifth court appearance since he was arrested in January. He is accused of fatally shooting Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton and killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.

In a letter, Loyd asked Judge Frederick J. Lauten for copies of the indictments before he enters his plea. The judge said the plea must be entered at his next court appearance, which is scheduled for March 1. Copies will then be sent to Loyd's jail cell.

Loyd, who did not have a lawyer with him, told Lauten he wants to represent himself. Lauten, however, encouraged and stressed the importance of Loyd seeking legal representation.

"You have the right to represent yourself, but you are going to be extremely limited in representing yourself on these very serious charges," Lauten said Wednesday. "Your very life is at stake, and I want you to think very seriously about this."

Loyd passed the judge a two-page letter and said he didn't want to speak with him during the arraignment. A grand jury indicted Loyd last week. 

In January, Lauten ruled Loyd to be competent to make the decision of whether he wants an attorney. 

In relation to Dixon's death, Loyd is being charged with a list of felonies, including first-degree murder with a firearm, killing of an unborn child by injury to the mother and attempted first-degree murder.

Loyd is also facing five charges in the killing of Clayton. No charges have been filed against Loyd in connection with Orange County Deputy Norman Lewis, who was killed while searching for Loyd after Clayton's death.

The maximum sentence in both cases is the death penalty.

Loyd has represented himself in his past court appearances. Some of those appearances included profanity-laced tirades directed at a judge.