From Steve Swenson's story I would have a very tough time convicting this person, based on the lack of physical evidence discovered. I cannot imagine someone who had committed this type of offense, where blood would be all over the place from repeated stab wounds, could dispose of all traces of it in 15 minutes time. No way does this happen. I do know from past experience that eye witnesses, whether bystanders or victims, can be unreliable.  It is a terrible crime, and I feel for the young woman, but in this case (from the facts in the linked story only) there is not enough evidence to convict.

Sage, is it evil, or mental illness?  I have asked myself this question a hundred times over the years when I hear stories like this.  I'm sorry for Colleen Clark, but I'm glad she survived.  She can still move on and grow as a person.  I don't think her attacker can claim the same.  I think he stopped growing a long time ago.

 Here is my original blog about the case http://people.bakersfield.c...

How a jury works is a mysterious thing.The case does not look to good right now~ I can not imagine having him across the street.There was a lot of mishandling of evidence....it would be ideal if parenthood changed him for the better.But that seems a slim hope at best.

I am all over the board with this case~ I went to the ER ,waiting with the family for word of her condition.This young man is the age Kelsey would have been,so young ~ from my perspective. To want to harm another is beyond my understanding.. 

Ah.  Thanks for showing your original post, Sage.  I didn't know about the complicity of the accused's family.  Well, that explains a lot, don't you think? 

I have a theory about evil and bad acts, but it would take a while to explain and I have too many distractions right now (cute, chubby distractions, but still) to be able to explain my thoughts on the subject the way I feel this story (and the way it pertains to YOU) deserves. 

In the mean time, please accept my compliments on your incredible ability to be open-minded and thoughtful to others in the wake of your heartbreaking experiences.  And that picture of your son is beautiful.  What a handsome boy!

From the story, he sounds gulity to me. His DNA being on the knife is enough. Her blood being on his shirt is quite damning. The fact that she survived and identified him as someone she knew gives a trinity of hard evidence.

The newspaper has 13 inches to summarize two and one-half hours of final arguments. I try to fairly report both sides, but it is an incomplete picture. The jury heard all the evidence and is in the best position to decide. We shall see.

Hung jury. 

*update*~ the jury spoke after their verdict. One man said he had grown up in Compton and would "never convict a black man because he knew what it was like".The foreman said she felt like he was guilty but that the police had "botched the case". I can see that and apparently so did the detectives,as they testified that they may not have handled it well.
 He remains in custody ,bail is set at $100,000. A new trial is scheduled for July 2nd.

Isn't it a crime to tell the judge that you can look at the evidence without prejudice and then refuse to convict because of racism?  What will the repercussions be for this juror?

I doubt there'll be any repercussions.  The guy could just say that the inherent racism was part of the evidence.

I always thought that was why a juror would ask the judge to be excused from a case. I was about to be questioned in a child molestation case,prepared to tell the court that I could not be fair,but the man admitted to his quilt.

We wonder the same thing Audrey, and can only hope the next jury will set aside their opinions about "how life is",and try to be impartial.

That said,we are in the business of jailing way to many people~ yet here is an "alleged" perpetrator who, because of what ever reason ,felt 15 stab wounds and choking her till she  feigned her death, was the right response to not getting a date. While he lived with his  pregnant girlfriend and other child, at his Mothers house .How do we address that?

 *full disclosure* I now have one friend a survivor,one friend dead from a stabbing. As  a women I say this~ Tell your family to alert the police that your attackers DNA will be under your fingernails.

Be aware~ be safe~ be ready. Look for what good you can.

Hes guilty...i know colleen clark..we've been friends for years...i knew he lived there when ide go over and visit all the time.She is going thou so much hurt and pain..after the accident..she wasnt the same..i miss my colleen.Hes so guilty ...this needs 2 end and he needs 2 be in jail for life! Lack of evidence..whatever...so many people commite crimes and get away with it. You should see my friend...n the scars she has now...

This case should of been taken care of a year ago..not years!!!!!!!

Misty