Andrew Clark appears before a judge via video conference, December 1, 2020. (PHOTO: Courtesy of Fox 11 WLUK)
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9 in a double murder case, but the COVID-19 situation at the Winnebago County jail could lead to another postponement.
Andrew Clark faces two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly killing his wife and a witness to the murder. The shootings happened Oct. 21 at an Omro home.
Quarantine issues at the jail caused a preliminary hearing to be canceled last week. Clark is still in quarantine at the jail, and his availability for the next date remains in question, defense attorney Brianne Patzer said Tuesday.
Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies say Melissa Clark, 36, of Omro, and Lavar Wallace, 40, of Appleton, were found dead inside a home in the 2800 block of Elo Rd., which had been set on fire.
Also charged in the case was Michael Draine, who allegedly tried to help Clark cover the murders by dousing her body with gasoline. A prosecutor described Draine as a witness to the murders. Draine is back in court Jan. 19 for an arraignment.
According to the criminal complaint, Draine, Wallace, Clark and Clark’s husband, Andrew, left a nightclub together on Oct. 20. Several hours later, Andrew Clark called police to report he found the bodies of his wife and Wallace. It appeared both had been shot. Melissa Clark’s body had been covered with gasoline, and nearby items were also soaked. There had been a fire, but it was put out by the time police arrived.
Draine told police that he and Wallace were playing video games in one room, while the Clarks argued in another. He heard a shot, found her, and saw Clark holding a gun.
“Draine said that at Clark’s direction, they went to the garage and got a gas can. Draine stated that at some later point, he was aware that Clark was pouring gas around the residence, and specifically in the bedroom where (Melissa Clark) was located. Draine said (Wallace) was freaking out, and appeared to be hyperventilating. While Draine was outside the residence, he heard a gunshot, and observed that Clark had apparently shot (Wallace) in the living room. Draine believed that (Wallace) had been shot in the chest, and Draine said something along the lines of, “This (expletive)’s not dead. I’m going to finish him.” Draine said that Clark made him watch as Clark shot (Wallace) in the face or head,” the complaint states.
Police tracked Clark’s subsequent activities to a gas station. After checking surveillance video showing him getting something from his car and going to a garbage can, that garbage can was searched, where two spent shell casing were found. Other, similar casings were found at the residence, the complaint states.
Draine said Clark gave him some money and items to dispose of. Based on Draine’s description, police found a gun matching the size of shell casings from the scene, case and drugs.
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