D.A. seeks ‘tougher charges

By Victor Inge

The Selma Times-Journal

Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson said he planned to “send a message” to the alleged perpetrators of Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin’s apartment.

Jackson said Friday his office will be going after “tougher charges” for a man and a juvenile arrested and charged with trashing the chief’s apartment. The two reportedly told police they had a sawed-off shotgun and had waited for Martin to return home to kill him.

“We can’t have people plotting, trying to kill public officials, or anyone else,” Jackson said. “We will be adding the charge of conspiracy to commit murder.”

Martin had been out of town attending a police chief’s meeting when he returned to find his apartment door ajar, and to discover someone had gained entry to his Minter Terrace apartment, located at 2501 Minter Ave.

Michael Hunter, 22, was arrested and is being held in the Dallas County Jail on $90,000 bond. Hunter and the juvenile, who was transported to a Baldwin County juvenile detention facility, were initially charged with breaking and entering and criminal mischief.

Depending on the juvenile’s prior history, they could be certified and tried as an adult in a case with such serious implications, Jackson said.

Police said there are other persons of interest and additional arrests could be made. No other arrests had been made by Saturday evening.

During the investigation authorities said the two admitted they had been waiting for Martin to return, and had a sawed-off shotgun. The gun has not been recovered.

“You could see where they had slept in the chief’s bed, and broke the blinds from peeping outside. There were three television sets and a stereo still there, so we don’t think their motives were burglary,” a police spokesperson said Thursday.

Martin, who serves as a live-in manager of the apartments, told officers that when he arrived home he noticed the back door was ajar, and saw “a suspicious character” try to leave the apartment complex.

Backup was called and the suspects were taken into custody.