Mario Jermaine Simmons, charged with the Feb. 28 shooting death of Paul Jermaine Molette, 21, of Selma, has hired attorney William T. Faile to represent him in court.

Faile, a local Selma attorney, will first file a motion to reduce Simmons’ bond, which is currently set at $750,000.

Simmons can’t make the current bond and should be out of jail to recuperate from a leg wound he received in the altercation with Mollette, Faile said.

In the meantime, Simmons, 26, of Orrville, has been under guard at a hospital receiving treatment for the wound. Instead of going home to recover after his time in the hospital, Faile said, Simmons must be brought back to prison.

Bond is meant to ensure the defendant’s presence in court. Over the years, Faile said, people have lost sight of that. Now defendants are given a bond based on the case. A reasonable bond is the prerogative of the court.

Faile said he took Simmons’ case because much of his practice deals with criminal work.

Joseph Hagood, a local attorney, was Simmons’ original attorney appointed by the court. Faile said his office was contacted last Friday about the case, prompting Faile to go to the Dallas County Jail that night.

Simmons’ $750,000 bond was set on Tuesday. A written motion filed also that day with the district court stated details of the shooting incident, and the knowledge that Simmons hadn’t yet had a court appearance because of his injuries and was under guard at a hospital.

District Attorney Ed Greene said that defendants must appear before a magistrate no more than 72 hours after being charged with an offense so the charges can be explained and a bond set.

Simmons’ next court appearance is scheduled for April 8.