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Testimony continues in Barney Clark trial Melodie Phelps News Editor Testimony continued Tuesday morning in the Barney Clark trial. Clark is charged with attempted murder and first degree assault in connection with the July 2003 shooting that injured Monticello Police Officer Sheridan Wright. The trial got underway Monday, with much of the morning spent selecting a jury for the proceeding. Fifty-nine jurors were called before the 13-member panel was selected. The jury consists of 10 men and three women. Special Judge William Cain is presiding over the case. Commonwealth Attorney Larry Rogers gave his opening statement on Monday afternoon, relating the details of July 17, when Wright suffered a shotgun blast to the face outside the Clark home. Rogersı first witness on the stand Monday afternoon was Marshall Clark, brother of the defendant. Marshall Clark testified that he lived with his father, and his brother, Barney, at a house on Craig Street. Marshall Clark told Rogers that his brother had been drinking that day. He also testified that police had been there earlier in the day looking for Barney Clark. Rogers showed Marshall Clark the shotgun that was used in the shooting. The witness said he had owned the gun and had taken it squirrel hunting. Marshall Clark testified that he had heard a shot that was taken at a neighborıs trailer that day, but he said he did not see Barney fire the shot. Marshall Clark also testified to events he recalled about Wrightıs arrival on the property, later that night. According to police records, Wright arrived on Craig Street after 10:15 p.m. The witness said he was on the front porch and he told Wright that his brother was in the back. Marshall Clark testified that he heard Wright tell Barney Clark to put down his gun several times, and that he thought he heard Barney say something to Wright. Marshall Clark said he thought he heard Wright fire his gun first. That was in direct contradiction to the testimony of Johnny Bates, who lived one house away from the Clarks. Bates said he was also on his front porch that evening, when Wright pulled up beside his house. He said the officer walked toward the Clarkıs home. Bates testified that he heard Wright tell Clark to put down his gun three times. Then he said the Clark shot the police officer. Bates said Wright started crawling toward his residence and he and his wife, Mary, took the officer inside their home. Bates described Wrightıs condition when he got him into the house. He said there was blood on his face and it "was all messed up." Also on Monday afternoon, members of the jury viewed a tape of an interview with Barney Clark, that was made after the shooting. Add a comment |
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