Program Note: For more details on the killing of Annie Le, a Yale medical student, watch AC360° tonight at 10 p.m. ET.
Randi Kaye| BIO
AC360° Correspondent
I covered the brutal murder of Yale medical student Annie Le in September.
She’s the 24-year-old lab student whose body was found stuffed inside the wall at one of Yale’s labs on campus.
They arrested and charged an animal research technician, Raymond Clark III, who is still locked up.
At the time, we all wondered, what the heck happened? Well, today, we know a lot more.
I just got my hands on the arrest warrant affidavit which has some fascinating new details about what led police to arrest Ray Clark and charge him with strangling Le to death.
The affidavit appears to show that Clark was trying to cover his alleged tracks right in front of the officers investigating the murder.
Police say Clark raised eyebrows immediately when he allegedly tried to move a box of wipes that were splattered with blood out of the direct line of vision of a police officer. The wipes were on a cart in the lab and according to the affidavit the officer says she watched Clark turn the box around in attempt to hide the blood.
Also, while officers were casing the lab for clues, they say Clark began scrubbing the floor grate and drain with SOS pads and cleaning solution. That surprised them since they said it did not appear to need cleaning. And officers say Clark even changed his clothes at least once while the FBI was processing the scene. What’s up with that?
Another disturbing find: a pair of men’s work boots with blood-like stains labeled “Ray C” written on the back of the boot. The shoelaces were missing. As if that isn’t enough, the affidavit says a sock found at the scene had both Clark’s DNA on it, as well as DNA belonging to Annie Le.
The most damaging piece of evidence may have been found inside the wall cavity where Le’s body was hidden. There with it, a green ink pen. Why is that significant? Because Clark’s lab workers told police at the time of the murder that he would always sign in to the lab with a green ink pen to separate himself from everyone else. The day of the murder, police say Clark used a green pen to sign in to the building. Authorities say the pen was found under Le’s body and that it had her DNA on it as well as his. His DNA was found on the pen’s cap.
Before they were finished, investigators say they also found a lab coat with blood stains on it that’s a size XL. Clark is seen on video taped footage from inside the lab wearing a lab coat on the day of the murder. Investigators say they also noticed Clark had a scratch on his left arm and one on his face, but that Clark told police his cat had scratched him at home. Also, Clark’s movements inside the lab building made police suspicious. They tracked his key card which is necessary for access and, according to the affidavit, Clark used his key card to gain entry into the room where Le worked and another room 55 times from 10:40 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. the day Le disappeared.
According to the affidavit, Clark told police he knew the victim, Annie Le, for about four months but that she left the building about fifteen minutes before him the day of the murder. Clark has not yet entered a plea and is due back in court later this year. Do you think police have a solid case?
| Jan |
November 13th, 2009 6:45 pm ET Why did the cops allow anyone even IN the room while they were doing a murder investigation, much less letting someone clean up without stopping him? It seems this will present big problems for the prosecutor in the future. |
|
| Annie Kate |
November 13th, 2009 7:15 pm ET Hard to explain all that circumstantial evidence away so yes, I think they have a case against him. Sounds like he's not quite the sharpest pencil in the pencil box anyway or he lost his copy of Murder for Dummies. |
|
| alicenyc |
November 13th, 2009 7:20 pm ET I totally agree Jan, I have never heard of anyone other than the police in a crime sceen. I still would like to know what they think was really the motive, I am surprised that no one has mentioned anything about the result of the autopsy. If this guy is guilty, the best thing he could do for himself is cop a plea. Best for him and best for her family. I wonder how her fiance is doing? |
|
| Gary Thierfelder Hudson WI |
November 13th, 2009 7:30 pm ET To Quote a Muppet I have heard: "It's not easy being Green." Perhaps it refers to a Pen, where this man Clark obviously belongs. For a Solid Case, ask him how his Cat could scratch with such discriminating Reach, perhaps his experiments (or Temperment) also included the Feline? |
|
| Vickie Show Me State |
November 13th, 2009 7:31 pm ET So, if, he had scratches on his arm and face. Wouldn't his DNA be found under her fingernail's? I believe the evidence is clear. |
|
| Jmack |
November 13th, 2009 11:37 pm ET Guilty |
|
| Vicky B. |
November 14th, 2009 5:29 am ET He's a dead duck. With so much incriminating evidence, what else could it be? Poor Annie Le. May she RIP. |
|
| Kristy |
November 14th, 2009 8:56 am ET While there is a lot of evidence pointing towards Clark...it seems that the police made huge errors in the investigation...this will make it hard for the prosecution to have SOLID evidence that the defense can not argue.... |
|
| heather w |
November 14th, 2009 4:36 pm ET From all of the evidence that I have read and heard in the news-yes it appears they have alot of evidence against Clark. BUT, tell me how someone (not just in this case) can recieve a fair trial?! Sure they willl pick a jury of his peers-which they will be instructed to disregard everything they've heard, seen, and read. Really though how is that possible? None of the details should be made public!!!!!!! This is not a fair system. No way he can recieve a 'fair' trial. Its just human nature to keep it in your mind-no matter how hard you try its always there. These full disclosure laws are not fair to ANY suspect charged with a crime. People have already rendered a guilty verdict in their minds. |
|
| Claudia, Houston, Tx |
November 14th, 2009 5:01 pm ET This guy is dangerous and should never see the light of day again. Removing him from society with life or a death sentence will save another womans life that he won't have a chance to multilate in an attempt to coverup his crime. Wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't done this prior. |
|
|
Comments have been closed for this article |
||
A behind the scenes look at “Anderson Cooper 360°” and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper, the AC360° staff and a network of contributors. Insight you can’t find anywhere else.
We search the news each day to show you what’s on our radar and what we’re planning for the show each night.
For more details, read our tips on how to win 360° approval for comments.
Send your instant feedback to Anderson Cooper 360°.
- Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 02/09/10
- Evening Buzz: Digging Out.... Again
- Returning to Haiti. Tipping the scales of faith.
- Toyota Recalls: What you need to know
- Severe Weather Update
- Treating addicts: What we may (or may not) learn from the Conrad Murray case
- The view from above
- Interactive Haiti Map: Aid, supplies and stories
- Video: Doctors: Haitian may have survived 4 weeks in rubble
- One year in, Obama must define himself
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2005

