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A Selma man was arrested and charged with capital murder on Nov. 22 in the death of Selma Police Department (SPD) evidence technician Jamyron Hope.

According to Dallas County District Attorney Robert Turner Jr., Cordel Dewayne Tyus, 22, is charged with capital murder in the killing of Hope. Turner said that Hope called 911 before he passed away.

According to Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford, Tyus was booked into the Montgomery County Detention Center at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, just hours after Hope was found dead by Selma Police officers.

Tyus made his initial appearance in the Dallas County Courthouse on Friday at 11 a.m., where Judge Collins Pettaway Jr. instructed Tyus of his rights. Tyus took the option of hiring his own attorney and was appointed temporary council. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 2 at 2 p.m.

At the hearing was Hope’s family, SPD officers, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and members of Turner’s office.

Investigation into the murder is ongoing by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation. Tyus is currently being held without bond.

Charging documents on Tyus allege that he killed Hope with a Glock .40-caliber handgun during a theft of money from Hope.  No additional details were provided in the criminal complaint.

Turner called Hope “a ray of hope in a dark society.”

“He took pride in his work,’’ Turner said. “He was a team player.”