State v. Clark

BARRETT, Commissioner.

A jury found Troy Clark guilty of murder in the second degree and fixed his punishment at 60 years’ imprisonment; the trial court reduced the punishment to 45 years’ imprisonment and he has appealed.

For eight or nine years Nick and Patricia Russo operated the Hanger Bar at 3800 E. 31st Street. The area residents once predominately white had become predominately Negro and the Russos changed their operation from a public bar or tavern to a private club in which the 1400 or 1500 members were admitted by card for which they paid a yearly membership of fifty cents. On…