Current Proceedings: Post Appeal; State PCR not filed. Under AR death sentence but serving life term in Michigan.

Case Number: 20-1256

Judge:

Demographic Information: Black Male

Current Counsel:

Legal Status: 1976 conviction appealed to Arkansas Supreme Court and affirmed in 1978. No subsequent legal proceedings found.

Significant Legal Issues:

The trial court erred in admitting tape recorded confession he made to Detroit police because it was involuntary as the three officers promised him that if made the statement he would not be returned to Arkansas for trial. In the tape, Clark admitted to shooting the victims; at trial Clark admitted participating in the rape and robbery but denied shooting anyone. HELD: Confession was voluntary.
He was prejudiced by admission of evidence of rape committed by him because it aroused the jury's passion and resulted in their imposition of death penalty. HELD: evidence admissible as a contemporaneous part of the criminal episode.
Trial court violated Clark's constitutional rights when it struck five prospective jurors for cause due to their inability to consider imposing the death penalty. HELD: trial court sufficiently complied with requirements of Witherspoon v. Illinois. Further, no objections were raised at trial to the court striking these jurors for cause.

Last Judicial Decision Related to Conviction or Sentence: Clark v. State, 573 S.W.2d 622 (Ark. 1978) (affirming conviction and sentence).

Reported Opinions: Clark v. State, 573 S.W.2d 622 (Ark. 1978).

Prior Counsel:

Conviction County: Lonoke

Counts: 2

Victim Demographic:

Crime Date: 10/20/1975

Sentencing Date: 03/24/1977

Trial Counsel: Marjorie M. Ksel (1978)

Trial Judge:

Trial Prosecutor: