9/8 Annie Marie Le missing from Yale University (BODY FOUND)

[Nut44x4]

?? not sure why he is back in court today...

[Gizzie]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/06/16/state/n074723D23.DTL

Father calls Yale killing suspect loving, caring

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

(06-16) 09:30 PDT New Haven, Conn. (AP) --

The father of an animal research technician charged with killing a Yale University graduate student called his son loving, caring and kind-hearted after attending a brief court hearing for the first time.

Twenty-four-year-old Raymond Clark III appeared Wednesday in New Haven Superior Court. He has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the strangling of 24-year-old Annie Le, of Placerville, Calif. Her body was found stuffed behind a research lab wall on the day she was supposed to get married.

Clark's father, Raymond Clark Jr., read a statement outside court, calling his son "a loving, caring, kind-hearted son, brother, fiance and friend."

He said the family will continue to support his son through what he called difficult times. The defendant's mother, Diane; sister Denise; and fiancee, Jennifer Hromadka, also were in court.

Clark has been jailed in lieu of $3 million bail.

Police have said a green-ink pen under Le's body had her blood and Clark's DNA. Police said Clark signed into the secure building with a green pen on Sept. 8, the day Le disappeared.

DNA from Le and Clark was on a bloody sock found hidden in a ceiling, authorities say.

Court papers describe a bloody crime scene and Clark's efforts to scrub floors. Investigators say Clark tried to hide a box of cleaning wipes that later was found to have traces of Le's blood.

Clark had a scratch on his face and left arm that he said came from a cat, investigators said.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/06/16/state/n074723D23.DTL#ixzz0r2ISwdwG

[Gizzie]

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/yale-annie-le/hc-raymond-clark-0617-20100616,0,4304433.story

Raymond Clark's Family At Court Hearing

NEW HAVEN — —
The family of accused killer Raymond Clark III appeared in court Wednesday, their first time in the courtroom gallery since Clark's arrest last September in connection with the slaying of Yale graduate student Annie Le.

After a brief hearing, where the judge continued the case to July 26, Clark's father, Raymond Clark Jr., read a statement saying that his family supports Ray.

He said his son is a "loving, caring, kind-hearted son, brother and fiancé," unlike the picture that's been portrayed of him in the media.

"These are difficult times," he said. He asked people to respect his privacy.

Raymond Clark Jr. was in court with his wife, Diane, and his daughter, Denise. Clark's fiancée Jennifer Hromadka was also in court.

Clark III, 25, a former lab technician, is charged with the murder of Le, a third-year doctoral student in pharmacology from Placerville, Calif.

Court records show that investigators used DNA evidence, a combination of computer records of security cards that showed Clark's movements at the lab before Le's death and his alleged attempts to clean up the crime scene to arrest Clark.

Clark has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and felony murder.

Le, 24, was reported missing Sept. 8. For days, investigators searched the basement of the Yale Animal Research Center at 10 Amistad St., a research building that is part of the Yale School of Medicine complex where Clark worked and Le did research.

Police found her body on Sept. 13, the day Le was supposed to get married.

[Sister]

I was searching to find what had happened at the July 26 hearing and finding nothing, I did run across this interesting article which explains the difference between murder and felony murder.

http://koehlerlaw.net/2010/01/felony-murder-and-the-annie-le-case/
Felony-Murder and the Case of Annie Le
by jamison on January 27, 2010

 
Douglas Healey/AP Photo
A loyal reader (okay, it’s my brother-in-law George) has asked me to explain the difference between murder and felony-murder.  George learned of the distinction while reading about yesterday’s not guilty plea in the Yale graduate student murder case.  For those of you who are not familiar with the case, Raymond Clark III was charged last week in connection the murder of Yale graduate student Annie Le.  Le’s body was found stuffed behind a wall of the Yale research lab where both Clark and Le worked, Clark as a laboratory technician and Ye as a graduate student.

A homicide is a killing by one person of another.  “Justifiable” or “excusable” homicides would include those authorized by law or for which there was a defense to criminal liability (for example, self-defense).  “Criminal” homicide would cover every other situation. Criminal homicides were traditionally sub-divided into three different offenses:  murder, voluntary manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter.

Murder was defined at common law as the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. Malice suggests ill will and “wickedness of heart.”  Aforethought suggests premediation and deliberation.

“Malice aforethought” required that the defendant either:  (1) intended to kill (express malice); (2) intended to inflict great bodily injury; (3) possessed reckless indifference to an unjustifiably high risk to human life (that is, demonstrated an “abandoned and malignant heart”); or (4) intended to commit a felony – thus, the “felony-murder” rule as described in greater detail below.

Just to dispose quickly of the other two forms of criminal homicide:  Voluntary manslaughter is an intentional killing distinguishable from murder by the existence of adequate provocation.  This, for example, is the husband returning home to find his wife in bed with his best friend who, in a moment of sudden and intense passion without any time to reflect, kills both of them.  He is still guilty but to a lesser degree of culpability.

Involuntary manslaughter was generally defined as death caused by criminal negligence.  That is, while the defendant did not actually intend to kill the victim, his failure to exercise the appropriate degree of care still renders him criminally liable, albeit to a lesser extent than for, example, deliberate and premeditated murder.

Modern statutes tend to differentiate among “degrees” of murder. While I am not familiar with Connecticut law, most states consider “deliberate and premeditated killings” as first degree murder, with every other form of criminal homicide second (or in some cases third) degree murder.


How does all of that apply here?  First, Clark has been charged with first degree murder.  Assuming the prosecution can prove that Clark was in fact the person who killed Le, it will then need to prove that Clark’s killing of Le was premeditated and deliberate.  According to some reports, Clark was irritated by Le’s “flouting” of the lab’s rules and procedures.  Other people suggest that Clark and Le may have been romantically involved and that Clark was upset by Le’s pending marriage. Whatever the motivation, even a moment of reflection could suffice if it provided Clark with adequate time to form the requisite intent.

Alternatively, if the evidence established that the killing was the result of a lover’s quarrel and a verbal fight that turned physical, the prosecution might have to settle for a lesser degree of criminal homicide.

What is interesting about this case (and this gets to George’s question) is that the prosecution recently added the charge of felony-murder.  Felony-murder is defined as the killing of another person during the commission of a dangerous felony, such as rape, arson, kidnapping or robbery.  In order to secure a conviction under the felony-murder rule, the prosecution does not need to prove that the defendant actually intended to kill the victim, only that the death was the foreseeable result of the commission of a dangerous felony.  In a sense, the prosecution is able to “piggyback” on the “malice aforethought” demonstrated by the defendant in committing the dangerous felony to prove the malicious state of mind needed to secure a murder conviction.

That felony-murder has been added to Clark’s charge suggests that there is much more to the case than we are reading about in the media.  I imagine, for example, that we will soon learn of evidence that Le’s murder was committed in connection with rape, attempted rape, or robbery.

[MuffyBee]

Thank you for posting the very informative article, Sister.  I wasn't aware of all the different murder types, and it's very interesting about the felony-murder charge that's been added to the case.  There must be more to the case than we've been privy to so far.  Praying for justice for Annie Le.

[Blonde]

Family Of Slain Yale Student, Upset With University, Hires Lawyer

NEW HAVEN —8:01 p.m. EDT, September 8, 2010

 

— Exactly one year after Yale University graduate student Annie Le was last seen alive, the family's attorney raised questions about the school's handling of the matter and said they were considering legal action.

Brian King, a New York attorney, spoke to reporters Wednesday morning outside Superior Court, where the man charged in Le's death, Raymond J. Clark III, 25, was scheduled for a pretrial hearing.

King said he had been hired by Le's mother, Vivian, who lives in Placerville, Calif. His law firm, with the help of private investigators, is trying to answer questions that the family has about the case, including whether Yale did a proper background check on Clark, who was a lab technician.
[Sample Our Free Breaking News Alert And 3 P.M. News Newsletters]

"They have a duty to make sure they're hiring employees who don't have violent type of tendencies so that their students can be safe," King said.

He said the family was considering legal action, possibly against Yale.

Le's body was found last Sept. 13 stuffed inside a wall at the Yale Animal Research Center in New Haven, which is part of the Yale School of Medicine complex where Clark worked and Le did research. The day the body was found was to be Le's wedding day.

King said the family is questioning how Yale police handled a fire alarm that occurred at the research center the day that Le disappeared.

"We're trying to determine right now, did the killing occur after the fire alarm? Did anybody from Yale security respond to the fire alarm to check any of the rooms? Were they looking around for her? Why wasn't anybody helping her when this was happening?" King said.

In addition, he said, the family is upset about what it perceives as a delay by Yale in the investigation of Le's disappearance.

"She was a missing person and as of right now, the family does not feel they responded fast enough to start the investigation," King said.

He also said that the family was insulted by what King called "a minimal reward," believed to be about $15,000, that Yale offered for information about Le's disappearance. "They were not happy with that," King said.

King added: "We're not trying to cast [aspersions] right now, we're trying to get it all figured out."

A Yale spokesman said Wednesday that the universiity had not been notified of any legal action or planned legal action.

King said that a year after Le's slaying, the family is grieving privately and "talking about making sure that justice is brought" for Le's killing.

"The family is still recovering," he said. "It's a daily process trying to deal with it." Family members, he said, struggle with the thought of what the intelligent and driven Le would be doing today.

"She was an absolute star in her field in medical research," King said.

Also on Wednesday, Yale released a statement by Vice President and Secretary Linda K. Lorimer on the anniversary of Le's death:

"As we begin the new academic year at Yale, we remember with great sadness the tragic death of Annie Le one year ago.

"Her senseless killing was a traumatic loss for her family, her fiancé, her friends and for all of us in the Yale community. The grief across our community was profound, and we continue to mourn and extend our sympathies and support to those closest to her. We also remain grateful for the tireless dedication of all those in law enforcement who have pursued justice in the case.

"Annie's life and work is honored at Yale through a fellowship established in her memory. The Annie Le Fellowship will benefit doctoral students in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program. Annie was a bright, highly accomplished and spirited student who shared her joy of life and learning with many. There is no better way to keep her spirit alive than by supporting future students who we hope will make as lasting an impression on our University as she did."

Clark, of Middletown, is charged with the murder last September of Le, a third-year doctoral student in pharmacology from Placerville, Calif. He has pleaded not guilty to murder and felony murder.

Court records show that investigators used DNA evidence, a combination of computer records of security cards that showed Clark's movements at the lab on Sept. 8, the day Le was last seen alive, and his attempts to clean up the crime scene to arrest Clark.

Clark is being held at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, with bail set at $3 million. His case was continued to Sept. 29.

http://www.courant.com/news/corrections/hc-annie-le-slaying-0909-20100908,0,4436835.story

[San]

Yale lab tech to plead guilty

AP

Last Updated: 3:59 AM, March 16, 2011

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/yale_lab_tech_to_plead_guilty_mri6bvCqAcBEb0PR0R5qDP#ixzz1GkmONYzN

 ::snipping2::

[Blonde]

Suspect In Annie Le Slaying At Yale To Change

NEW HAVEN — The lab technician accused of killing Yale University student Annie Le is expected to enter a guilty plea and avoid a trial as part of a deal made in the case, one of his attorneys said Tuesday.

Senior Assistant Public Defender Beth A. Merkin said Raymond Clark III will change his not-guilty plea to guilty at a scheduled hearing Thursday in Superior Court. She declined to specify what charge or charges he would plead to or to discuss other terms of the agreement.
 ::snipping2::
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/yale-annie-le/hc-raymond-clark-plea-0316-20110315,0,2492216.story

I couldn't find the Annie Le thread

Annie Le's thread is in the "Missing Found Deceased" area.  I'll move your post on over.  Thank you for bringing the article, Blonde.  Muffy

[KittyMom]

I hope the pros didn't agree to a slap on the wrist for this killer.  

Good morning.  Hang on, we're moving....  MB 

[Mary]

Mar 17/11- He pleaded guilty to-day and was sentenced to 44 years. HLN reported when
Annie was found her Bra was pushed up and her panties were pulled down. Also his sperm
was found on her stomach. So I guess they didn't want that on the news. Maybe the family
requested that. I think he should have gotten life. Rest in peace Annie.

[Blonde]

Raymond Clark III Pleads Guilty To Murder
Clark Also Pleads Guilty To Attempted Sexual Assault

POSTED: 1:33 pm EDT March 17, 2011

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Raymond Clark III has pleaded guilty to murder and attempted sexual assault in the 2009 killing of Yale graduate student Annie Le.

Clark changed his plea from not guilty at a hearing in New Haven Superior Court on Thursday morning.

 ::snipping2::

http://www.wfsb.com/news/27228520/detail.html

[Blonde]

Sexual assault

[Blonde]

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Raymond Clark III has pleaded guilty to murder and attempted sexual assault in the 2009 killing of Yale graduate student Annie Le.

 ::snipping2::
http://www.wfsb.com/news/27228520/detail.html

[Blonde]

Her Family did want to go over this sexual info in court per Joe Toco

[KittyMom]

Clark's fiancee was in court.  That girls needs a good, swift kick in the bottom.

[Sister]

http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2011/mar/21/le-legal-battle-may-continue/
 Everett Rosenfeld

Staff Reporter

Monday, March 21, 2011

Raymond Clark III will serve 44 years in prison for the murder and sexual assault of Annie Le GRD ’13 — but the legal saga surrounding Le’s death could be far from over.

Two legal experts said the sentence, which could have stretched as long as 80 years under state guidelines, is not unexpected for a murder case like Clark’s. But while Clark is guaranteed to serve out his entire sentence — parole is not allowed for murder convictions, said David Strollo, a state prosecutor for the case — the question still remains whether the Le family will pursue civil lawsuits against Yale or other parties.

Following their daughter’s death, Le’s parents hired New York criminal defense attorney Joe Tacopina to represent the family throughout the legal process. Tacopina was present at the hearing on Thursday, where he told the New Haven Independent that the Le family will not consider filing civil suits until after Clark’s sentencing on June 3.

 

[cartfly]

 ::justice2NJ::
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110604/ap_on_re_us/us_yale_killing
<snippped>

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – A former animal research technician was sentenced Friday to 44 years in prison for killing a Yale graduate student days before what was to be her wedding day in 2009. The judge's decision came after anguished relatives described how their anticipation of a celebration turned to grief as they returned home with her in a coffin.

Raymond Clark III, 26, apologized in New Haven Superior Court for strangling 24-year-old Annie Le of Placerville, Calif. Her body was found upside down stuffed in a wall of a research lab on Sept. 13, 2009, her wedding day and five days after she was last seen inside the Yale medical building.

<snipped>
"She was about to start her life as a young bride," said Le's mother, Vivian. "She told me many times how happy she was to start her family. I will never see her walking down the aisle. I will never hold my grandchildren. I will never see Annie's dreams come true."

"I only see my Annie in my dreams," she added.
<end snip>

REST in Peace Annie

[MuffyBee]

Rest in peace Annie.   

[MuffyBee]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/07/us-yale-murder-idUSTRE7866DF20110907
Family of murdered female student sues Yale University
September 7, 2011

Reuters) - The family of a Yale University medical student found strangled in a laboratory on the eve of her wedding day has sued the school for negligence, saying it allowed an atmosphere of aggression toward women.

The wrongful death lawsuit alleges Annie Le, 24, was attacked in 2009 on a New Haven, Connecticut, campus that tolerated dangerous attitudes toward female students.

"Yale had long taken inadequate steps to ensure the safety and security of women on its campus," the family's attorney Joseph Tacopina said in an e-mail statement on Wednesday.

Le, a student at the Yale School of Medicine, was beaten and strangled by Raymond Clark, a technician at the lab where Le performed experiments as part of her studies, the lawsuit said. Her body was found days later stuffed behind a wall of the lab building.
 ::snipping2::
"Sexual attacks on and harassment of women at Yale had been a well-documented and long-standing problem, and there was a widespread belief that Yale repeatedly failed to impose meaningful discipline on offenders," the lawsuit said.

Tacopina said Yale knew or should have known that Clark posed a potential threat to Le's safety, citing what he described as his "previously demonstrated aggressive behavior and a violent propensity toward women."

Thomas Conroy, a Yale spokesman, said in an e-mail statement that the university had no information to indicate that Clark was capable of the crime and that "no reasonable security measures" could have prevented it.

"This lawsuit serves neither justice nor Annie's memory... and the University will defend against it as appropriate," the statement said.

Yale established a fellowship in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program in Le's name with an initial gift of $100,000, according to the university website. The first recipients were announced in May.

The complaint, filed on Tuesday, named both the university and the Yale School of Medicine as defendants. It said the university was negligent in hiring Clark for a position that gave him unsupervised access to students and staff, and for failing to adequately monitor his activities on campus.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20102822-504083.html
Family of murdered Yale grad student Annie Le sues university
September 7, 2011

(CBS/AP) HARTFORD, Conn. - The family of murdered Yale University graduate student Annie Le is suing the Ivy League school, claiming it had failed to adequately protect women on campus for years.
 ::snipping2::
The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in New Haven Superior Court by lawyers for the family of Le, a 24-year-old Placerville, Calif., native whose strangled body was found stuffed upside-down in a wall at the Yale lab building on Sept. 13, 2009. That was the same day of her scheduled wedding and five days after she disappeared. Prosecutors also said there was evidence of a sexual assault.

Yale officials said in a statement Tuesday that the lawsuit had no merit and no additional security measures could have prevented the killing.

The lawsuit claims that before Le's killing, Yale had for years failed to take adequate steps to protect women on the New Haven campus. It also claims school officials should have known that Clark posed a potential danger to Le's safety, because he had previously demonstrated aggressive behavior and a "violent propensity towards women."

In April, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights confirmed that it was investigating complaints by Yale University students that the university had a sexually hostile environment and failed to adequately respond to sexual harassment concerns.
 ::snipping2::
"Yale's persistent tolerance of sexual harassment and sexual assaults on campus caused students to file (the) complaint against Yale University," the Le family's lawyers, New York-based Joseph Tacopina and Stamford, Conn.-based Paul Slager, said in a statement Tuesday. "And, just five days before she was to be married, Annie Le was a victim of that environment."

The lawsuit, which names Yale University and its medical school, only says it is seeking an unspecified amount of money greater than $15,000, which is standard in Connecticut when lawsuits are first filed. The damages and legal fees sought by the plaintiffs could total in the millions of dollars.

The Yale statement said the lawsuit "serves neither justice nor Annie's memory, and the university will defend against it as appropriate."

"Yale had no information indicating that Raymond Clark was capable of committing this terrible crime, and no reasonable security measures could have prevented his unforeseeable act," the statement said.