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Clark
Apologizing in hushed tones to the family of the teenager he murdered last November and later replying nearly inaudibly to the judge's question as to why he committed the crime didn't help Dasan Clark's cause Tuesday in the Logan County Courthouse.
Judge Philip Corley sentenced the 16-year-old to life with the possibility of parole, with all but 35 years suspended, for the first-degree murder of Antwoine Watson, 14, last November. Judge Corley also ordered 10 years, to be served concurrently with the life sentence, for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Clark, who was 15 when the crime was committed, had entered a blind guilty plea (prior to any sentence) on Oct. 21 to the two counts.
Nearly 30 people were in the courtroom, most of them on the side of the victim's family.
Judge Corley referenced the pre-sentencing report delivered to the Court last week, which recommended a sentence of life in prison for Clark, with the possibility of parole left to the Court.
In the witness phase of the hearing, the State called for victim impact statements from Watson’s mother, Dorothy Shea, as well as his older sister, who read her own statement. She also read a statement from the victim’s grandmother, who was present but did not speak.
All emphasized the ongoing severe trauma placed on Watson’s family and, particularly, his siblings since his death.
Clark’s defense attorney called his uncle, older sister and his mother to the witness stand. Their arguments were that Clark and his family had worked together to have him acknowledge that what he did was wrong, accept responsibility for his actions, forego a trial and any of many possible defenses, and enter a blind plea of guilty.
All three witnesses took time to express condolences to the victim’s family.
Finally, Clark was called to the stand, and he apologized to the family nearly inaudibly; in fact, Judge Corley had to ask him to speak up.
In final arguments, the State requested a sentence of life with the possibility of parole, with no split or suspension for full justice for the family. The defense requested life with the possibility of parole with all but 20 years suspended, to balance significant consequences for Clark with a show of mercy.
The State responded by suggesting that the possibility of parole would provide mercy in the sentence, given the circumstances of the case.
Judge Corley then called Clark before him, acknowledged the sentencing requests, and briefly rehashed the case and sentence options, all for life, but with or without parole or suspension.
After a long pause, he directly asked Clark why he had done what he did. Again, Clark’s answer was nearly inaudible within the courtroom.
Judge Corley did not seem satisfied and split the difference with his sentence. For the murder count, he ordered life with the possibility of parole, with all but 35 years suspended, and ordered 10 years, to be served concurrently with the life sentence, for the firearm count.
The courtroom remained silent as the judge pronounced the sentence. Then. Judge Corley cleared the courtroom of all but Clark’s family so that he could be taken back into final custody.
Clark will be held at Garfield County Juvenile Detention Center, where he was housed through the trial process, until he can be transported to the Lexington Assessment & Reception Center and Lexington Correctional Center complex for initial reception and the beginning of his sentence.