Homicide investigation gets a new twist

SARALAND, Ala. - New details in a homicide investigation out of Saraland. Police have identified a suspect in the crime that took place nearly two weeks ago.

Police identified John Lamar Pope as the main suspect. Investigators signed a warrant for his arrest on Friday.

The suspect and the victim did have ties to each other. The victim's loved ones are happy there's a suspect, but said the pain of losing their loved one is still very fresh.

"I miss him, I sure do. I really thought a lot of him. He was a wonderful person," Jeptha Middleton said.

Middleton said he desperately misses his close friend Anthony Embley. He said he vividly remembers the day Embley was killed. Investigators swarmed the victim's home on Williams Avenue after co-workers discovered his body.

"We'd like to thank his co-workers. Through their care and concern we were able to locate the victim and bring justice to the situation," Chief Kevin Anderson said.

With the help of the Mobile County Sheriff's Office and Mobile Police Department, investigators were able to determine John Lamar Pope was the main suspect in the murder. Pope is the victim's son-in-law.

"I don't believe he done it. It's just his past record, they're going off his past," said Pope's brother.

The suspect's brother denied Pope's involvement, but didn't want to comment any further. The suspect already has a history with the law, and now a murder charge has been added.

"Mr. Pope is being held in Baldwin County. He went through a revocation hearing for a probation violation on earlier burglary charges and is now on a $1 million bond. We have a hold on him. Once he finishes Baldwin County, we will serve the warrant and bring him back to Mobile County," added Anderson.

Police aren't releasing many details about the crime for fear of compromising the investigation.

"There are only certain facts concerning the investigation and crime that only the witness had knowledge," Anderson said.

Investigators said there was no break-in at the home where the murder took place, and are being very tight-lipped about the case. Police have also not released a cause of death.