ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- A man has admitted to gunning down a police officer in Athens last year.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Jamie Hood said Wednesday in a Clarke County Superior Court that he killed senior police officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian III.

Hood is charged with the March 2011 shootings of officers Christian and Tony Howard. Christian was killed and Howard was seriously wounded.

Hood faces the death penalty on charges he murdered Christian, attempted to murder Howard and killed another man in December 2010.

During the hearing, Hood was removed from the courtroom by Superior Court Judge David Sweat after the defendant had a few outbursts. Hood complained about his legal representation.

Hood was taken to another room in the courthouse where he listened to the hearing over an audio monitor.