The California man accused in the shooting deaths of two people at a Clifton church pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges Wednesday.

Joseph Pallipurath was indicted by a grand jury last month for murder, attempted murder and weapons charges. Prosecutors say Pallipurath traveled across the country to kill his estranged wife Reshma James. She and Dennis John Malloosseril were shot to death at St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Knanaya Church last November. Malloosseril was a congregant at the church.

Pallipurath has been in a psychiatric facility for the past five months. Family members of the victim are fearful Pallipurath may escape hard time with an insanity defense.

"He's smart ? that's why he's in a psychiatric facility and not in jail," says Jimm Alummoottie, uncle of Malloosseril.

Prosecutors say they are seeking several life sentences for Pallinpurath and are not offering a plea deal. He will next be in court July 21 to have his psychiatric status checked.