Prone to outbursts during his trial, Ian J. Clark saved his biggest verbal assault for the mother of his 2-year-old murder victim Thursday at his sentencing.
Ian J. Clark, who was convicted of the May 25, 2007, murder of Samantha Muchowicz, 2, got into two separate profanity-laced tirades yesterday.When Clark was convicted March 7, the jury recommended he serve a life sentence without possibility of parole. Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed agreed with the jury's assessment.
Clark's attorney, Bryon J. Berry, argued that Reed had some wiggle room in sentencing Clark to life with some prison time suspended.
Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney R. Steven Hearn told Reed he felt the evidence in the case spoke for itself.
When Reed asked Clark if he had any comments, Clark responded, "We're going to appeal."
Then Clark began swearing at Reed before finishing, "Choke on it, you (expletive)."
Reed then noted Clark's desire to file an appeal. Clark will be given appellate counsel within the next 48 hours.
Things got more contentious when Matara Muchowicz, Samantha's mother, got on the stand to read a letter she had written.
"It took a long time for me to write this," said Muchowicz.
She said that what happened on May 25 "is now between (Clark) and God."
"My daughter Samantha was a loving child, and her life was worth something," said Muchowicz.
As she continued to read her letter, Clark became more and more agitated.
"As for Mr. Clark, you will start a new life that you chose to start."
"Believe that," said Clark as he began yelling. "Maybe you should have thought about that before you left her with me after five days of drinking."
Clark continued yelling and swearing at Muchowicz until officers were forced to restrain him. Clark then began swearing at the officers.
At that point, Reed ordered Clark into the custody of the Indiana Department of Corrections.
After Clark was taken out of the courtroom, Reed made note that should the Indiana State Supreme Court hear Clark's case, they would take exception with Reed removing Clark from the courtroom.
"If the Supreme Court believes that he should have been allowed to swear and assault the mother of the child he murdered, then fine," said Reed.
The sentencing concluded with an aunt of Clark's taking the stand.
In a statement she prepared, she stated, "I feel your punishment is just."
She also stated that Clark's family "stood by and watched (Clark) bully and intimidate people."
Clark has 30 days to file an appeal or a motion to correct error.
