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Updated: 12:26 AM Jul 3, 2009
Desmond Clark Sentenced to Life for Taco Bell Murder
The man who admitted to killing his girlfriend in a Taco Bell closet on Charleston's west side last year was sentenced to life in prison. WEB EXTRA: listen to the graphic 911 call of the Taco Bell employee and other court testimony
Posted: 5:10 PM Jul 2, 2009Reporter: Paul Gessler Email Address: paul.gessler@wsaz.com |
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The man who admitted to killing his girlfriend in a Taco Bell closet on Charleston's west side last year was sentenced to life in prison without mercy. That means he will not be eligible for parole.
Judge James Stuckey handed down the sentence for Desmond Clark Thursday afternoon.
The shooting happened July 5, 2008. Clark entered a guilty plea March 30 in a Kanawha County courtroom.
Clark admitted to murdering his girlfriend, Nalisha Gravely, after she escaped from his car. She ran inside the Taco Bell on Patrick Street to try to get away from Clark, but he followed her inside and found her hiding in a storage closet.
That's where he shot and killed her. There were customers and employees inside at the time. No one else was hurt but many of the witnesses were traumatized by what they saw that day.
During the hearing, Clark apologized to the Gravely's family moments before he learned his fate. He said he "messed up bad."
"I ask Nalisha and God for forgiveness every day," said Clark. "I know you all are hurting and that I messed up bad. I really do wish this thing never happened. I'm sorry to everyone that witnessed it."
Detective Brian Jones described Clark as a man who didn't seem to care during his interrogation after the murder.
Dr. Bobby Miller diagnosed Clark with Intermittent Explosive Disorder, but claims Clark "knew right from wrong."
Prosecutors argued that Clark would be a danger if ever released.
"It was a heinous brutal murder, and he'll have to pay the consequences for the rest of his life. The victim's family is going to have to for the rest of their life. I feel it's fair he should remain in prison for the rest of his life," said Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants.
Plants also played the 911 call a Taco Bell employee made during the shooting. In it, you can hear gunshots and the employee trying to help Nalisha. Click on the link above to listen an excerpt from the recording. WARNING: the call contains graphic details and might upset some people
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Latest Comments
Love you Lisha RIP babygurl alwayz N forever in my heart we grew up together N well meet again..Love you!
This comment in part is directed towards "Praying for both families on jul 6,", only in the black community do you see people that are willing to defend or attempt to justify such an act as the one commited by Desmond Clark. The facts are that Mr. Clark murdered the mother of his only son in cold blood and @ no time considered the ramifications these actions would have on his son, Ms. Gravelys family or his own family and now you want to say "we don't know Desmond" or "this wan't the real Desmond?" You have got to be seriously kidding me you idiot!!!! When is the black community going to accept responsibility for the lifestyles they have glorified to their youth and take on some accountability? If it's a black celebrity killing animals there's an excuse, if there is a black person selling drugs there is an excuse and now there is one for a person who murders his childs mother in cold blood? The reason Ms. Gravely didn't leave is the same reason why she is deceased she was the victim.
y'all don't even really know Desmond. this wasn't the real him. sure he did something that he is going to have to pay for, and i know nalisha didn't ask to be killed, but she had a choice a long time ago to leave, after a person hits you once, what makes you think that there wont be a next. it all comes down to making the right choices, and the right choices weren't made. he is really sorry for what he has done, i don't think that he needs life with out mercy. and too all the people that have passed judgment you are not GOD. in the bible it says let he who is without sin cast the first stone, and we all have sin...Both family's are in need of serous pray.
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