By By MICHAEL C. GUILMETTE JR. / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Eight men and six women will decide whether Louis Clark is guilty of second-degree murder.
Closing arguments in the Clark trial concluded yesterday at the South County Building in Niles, and defense attorney Tat Parish told the jurors Clark was acting in self-defense when he shot and fatally wounded Renell Exum on Aug. 20 at the Oak Dairy Party Store in Niles Township.
Parish said the shooting itself was accidental, adding Clark demonstrated no intent to use deadly force against Exum.
"Self-defense means he's not guilty. An accident means he's not guilty," Parish told the jury. He added Clark was acting in self-defense by fighting with Exum, who Parish alleged had attacked Clark in a dispute about a necklace.
Parish also said Clark made the 911 call after the shooting and had placed the gun and his concealed weapon permit on the ground, adding he fully cooperated with the police. Parish called these actions clear signs of someone who acted in self-defense.
On rebuttal, assistant prosecutor Jeff Rhoa dismissed the self-defense claim, telling the jury Clark possessed the only deadly weapon in the entire altercation.
"There was one shot … one dead man, people's exhibit one, Renell Exum," Rhoa told the panel. He said Clark's dispute with Exum about the necklace should not have been handled with violence.
"If he was wronged, he should have called the police, not used his gun," Rhoa said.
Rhoa admitted Exum attacked Clark and started the fight, but only following provocation from Clark and his two companions. He then added that Clark's companions held Exum down while Clark stepped back, stood in a "three-point stance" and shot him.
Clark's intent to kill Exum could have developed at any time during the incident, Rhoa said, adding intent can also be inferred by the type of weapon used and the nature of the wound. Rhoa said repeatedly Clark shot Exum in the face.
Rhoa countered Parish's assertion that the witnesses were lying because they could not remember specific details, saying that just because a witness may not remember exactly where Clark and Exum were does not mean Clark did not shoot Exum.
Judge Gary Bruce told the jurors they were to return to the courtroom Friday morning for jury instruction, after which deliberations could begin.