A man accused of 2nd Degree Domestic Assault in the death of his wife is due back in court May 22 for a preliminary hearing after his first court appearance Tuesday.

Martin Davis entered a plea of not guilty and said he would apply for a public defender.

Charges were filed over the weekend against the 54-year-old St Joseph man. His wife, Sandra Dee Davis, 52, was found injured in the couple’s home on May 1.

Ms Davis died after emergency surgery at Mosaic Life Care.

Investigators were expected to forward additional information to prosecutors based on the autopsy report, and the charge could be upgraded. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says there’s no rush to upgrade the charges, because the defendant is being held without bail.

Judge Keith Marquart on Tuesday upheld the state’s motion to deny bail. A counsel status hearing is scheduled May 15, and a preliminary hearing is planned May 22.