Daniel Hicks, the Seattle man who police say fled to Northern California after killing his girlfriend and their infant last month, pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on murder charges in Seattle today.

Hicks, 30, is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, a charge that gives prosecutors the option to seek the death penalty. Prosecutors have 30 days after the arraignment to decide whether to pursue the death penalty.

Hicks, 30, was arrested in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Dec. 28 after Seattle police traced a collect call he'd made to a relative in Seattle from a pay phone in the coastal town. Authorities say he shot his longtime girlfriend, Jennifer Morgan, and their 13-week-old daughter, Emma, on Dec. 21.

Morgan, 28, was shot at least a dozen times and Emma at least seven times with a .45-caliber handgun, according to charging documents.

Hicks didn't speak during this morning's hearing. Morgan's sister and friend attended the hearing dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with a photo of Morgan and Emma.