Klamath Falls, Ore. – It’s been nearly 4 years since Larry Wayne Clark was brutally murdered in his Klamath Falls home.
The man accused of murdering Clark was in court Tuesday for a motions hearing, though no trial date has yet been set.
Larry Wayne Clark was found beaten to death in his Lindley Way home in February of 2013.
Zane Skeen has been charged with Clark’s murder, but defense attorneys are in no hurry to go to trial.
“Right now, the defense has filed over 80 motions.” Explains Klamath County Deputy District Attorney David Schutt. “And so we’ve been having to respond to those as they come.”
Those motions include requests to disqualify the D.A.’s office from the case, and to have Skeen evaluated for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Schutt says those delays are proving frustrating for the victim’s family: “By the time we go to trial, it will be over four years. The victim’s mother is 92, and I know she and the sister would really like to see closure.”
Investigators say Skeen conspired with Clark’s ex-wife Carla Clark to split a $50,000 life insurance policy.
While Carla Clark was initially charged with conspiracy, those charges have since been dropped.’
“We can re-file those charges at any time.” Notes Deputy D.A. Schutt. “It’s important based on just the way that the case broke down, that Mr. Skeen go to trial first.”
A hearing will be held November 8th to schedule a tentative trial date.
Prosecutors say over 8,000 pages have been filed with the court over evidence and witnesses to be allowed at trial.
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