Interrogation video provides new look at Naperville slaying
Grant Muren told police he fended off a violent attack by Charles Clark for more than 20 minutes before he was able to put Clark in the violent choke hold that ultimately killed the man.
Testimony from Naperville Detective Michael Caruso, along with a video of Muren's first interrogation, opened the third day of Muren's trial in DuPage County for the slaying of his new roommate in Naperville.
In the video played by prosecutors Wednesday, Muren said that within hours of moving into Clark's Naperville townhouse, the 55-year-old Clark became violent while the men drank.
Muren said Clark became emotional and ordered Muren to leave. Muren refused, he said, having just paid $600 rent and a $300 security deposit.
"He jumps at me and I spend 20 minutes fending off him trying to choke me and blotting out my eyes," Muren told Caruso in the video. "Eventually he started choking me. I'm pretty sure I bit one of his fingers off."
Muren described Clark as "out of shape" and said he used his endurance to wait for Clark to tire before gaining the upper hand in the fight.
"I got both of my hands on his throat and I squeezed as hard as I could," Muren could be heard screaming on the video. "I guarantee I left marks!"
Muren, 24, is now standing trial charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicide and aggravated arson in the Jan. 20, 2014, strangulation of Clark in Clark's townhouse on the 1100 block of Vail Court.
Muren's defense attorney says Muren is responsible for Clark's death, but acted only in self-defense.
"This isn't a whodunit," attorney Michael Gillespie, told Judge Brian Telander on the opening day of the bench trial.
As the video continues, Caruso can be heard trying to determine the nature of the relationship between Clark and Muren. He said the questions were sparked by "four or five" bite marks Muren had on his back.
"(Muren) vehemently denied (any sexual activity) happened for most of the interrogation," Caruso testified Wednesday.
But as the video continued, Muren said kissing Clark "is something (he) could see (himself) doing."
The bench trial is expected to resume Tuesday and continue through Sept. 1. Muren has been held on $2 million bail since his arrest.