Formal murder charges have been filed against the suspect in the slaying of an 81-year-old man in Sylacauga.

Christopher Adam Grantham is charged in the killing of Douglas Jude, who police say sustained “an extensive amount of trauma.”

On Nov. 26, 2022, Sylacauga police responded to a traffic crash on West Fourth Street at the Marble City cemetery. When they arrived, they found Jude suffering from an undisclosed trauma.

Sylacauga Police Chief Kelley Johnson said it was evident that Jude’s injuries did not come from the minor accident. He was able to tell police what happened.

Jude told investigators that an Grantham – an acquaintance – had come to his home and assaulted him while he was asleep.

The suspect left the home in Jude’s 2010 Honda Accord and had also taken the victim’s cell phone. Judge tried to drive himself to hospital but wrecked because of his injuries.

The victim was taken to Coosa Valley Medical Center and later transferred to UAB Hospital in Birmingham because of the severity of his injuries.

He later died.

Johnson said Grantham was captured in Lynn Haven, Florida which is near Panama City. He was in the victim’s vehicle.

Grantham was held in the Bay County Jail until he was extradited to Alabama on Dec. 7.

He was initially charged with first-degree theft of property and second-degree assault. He was served with the murder warrant last week.