Case against fatal stabbing suspect headed to grand jury

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio --

A grand jury will hear the case of a man accused of fatally stabbing a man who was giving him a ride home.

Teddy Clark is facing a murder charge in connection with the Jan. 19 death of James Daniels Jr.

Family members and police officers who handled the incident appeared at Clark's preliminary hearing in Steubenville Municipal Court on Friday. The hearing lasted more than an hour as a judge listened to police testify.

Officers described not only their investigation, but how bad the victim's wounds were when he came into the police station. Daniels had driven himself to the police station after he was stabbed, and he later died at a Pittsburgh hospital.

The court found that there was probable cause against Clark, and the case was bound over to a grand jury.

Prosecutor John Mascio said, "Based on everything that was presented this morning, I think it's a very good case and we'll look for an indictment to come out of the grand jury proceedings."

Mascio added, "The biggest issued with this case is the fact that (Clark's) wife would not waive her spousal privilege and that poses some issues."

Steve Stickles, Clark's defense attorney, said this is a very delicate time not only for Daniels' family, but also for Clark's family.

"This is not a hate crime. This is not a cold-blooded murder. Unfortunately, we are in a situation where a gentleman lost his life and Mr. Clark has been charged with that crime," Stickles said.

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