The Selma Times-Journal

A preliminary hearing was held for murder suspects Cedric Cook and Vanessa Gill Thursday, said Assistant District Attorney John Oxford.

Cook and Gill are charged with the murder of Valley Grande resident Marshall Gill. Vanessa is Marshall’s wife. Cook is the Gills’ nephew. District Judge Bob Armstrong found probable cause in both cases, citing evidence provided by the district attorney’s office and testimony from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.

Oxford said both suspects remain in the Dallas County Jail without bond and their cases are headed to the grand jury.

On Wednesday, Judge Armstrong raised the bond of alleged cemetery bandit Pollard Williams from $55,000 to $400,000 during a bond hearing, Oxford said.

Williams, 20, of Selma, was arrested and charged with two counts of first degree robbery, two counts of first degree burglary, and one count each of third degree burglary and robbery.

On March 19, Williams allegedly robbed a female victim in Old Live Oak Cemetery.

Williams is also suspected to have burglarized homes on First Avenue, Lauderdale Street, Church Street and Weaver Street.

“We had asked to set bond at $400,000 on those cases and that’s what (Judge Armstrong) did,” Oxford said.

Armstrong also set a $250,000 bond for attempted murder suspect Aaron Davis Jr. Wednesday. Davis, 25, was arrested on April 28 in connection with the April 9 shooting of 34-year-old Michael Stallworth.

According to police reports, Stallworth was found on the corner of Minter Avenue and Weaver Street after an apparent assault. Stallworth was

shot seven times with a 9-millimeter handgun.

Williams and Davis’ preliminary hearings are scheduled for later this month, Oxford said.

Selma Police make arrest

Selma Police arrested Selma native Carlos Evans, 23, on Sunday, May 7.

While he was being processed at the city jail on misdemeanor drug charges, it was discovered that Evans had an outstanding warrant out in Birmingham.

According to reports, Evans allegedly asked two SPD officers about not letting Birmingham law enforcement officials know that he was in custody. Evans also offered the officers money in return for “making the warrant from Birmingham go away.”

Evans was charged with bribery of a public servant and transported to the Dallas County Jail. His bond is set at $50,000.