Clark statements can be used at trial
By Shannon Green, Daily Register
Information that Candace Clark provided to police in the initial hours after her arrest can be used as evidence in her trial, Columbia County Circuit Court Judge Alan White ruled Wednesday.
Clark, 24, along with Michael Sisk, 26, is charged in the death last June of Tammie Garlin and the abuse and torture of her then-11-year-old son. Garlin was found buried behind 304 W. Oneida St. on June 14.
Three separate interviews between Clark and Portage Police Detective Lt. Mark Hahn about what had happened at the Oneida Street house were taped June 15, 16 and 17.
Clark testified in April that because she was not given diabetes medication, food or water, she was too confused to understand her rights and that the information she provided during the three interviews was not freely given.
The audio tapes were reviewed by White before he made his decision.
More details about White's decision were not available Wednesday.
District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said White's decision reflects that "what (Clark) was claiming was not in the tapes."
"She was fully up to dealing with any questioning that Lt. Hahn presented to her," Kohlwey said.
Kohlwey called the decision an important one for the trial. She said that, in general, statements made by defendants about how an incident occurred are very important because it shows what their version of the events are.
Clark and Sisk face 11 charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse and child abuse. They both face life in prison if convicted of homicide.
A jury trial for Clark is scheduled to begin July 7.
Clark is scheduled to appear next in court June 27 for a motion hearing. Sisk is scheduled for a hearing Aug. 6 on a motion regarding the clothing he may wear to the trial, among other issues.
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