Judge Detains Defendant Accused in Domestic Homicide

By Jaclyn Sersland [former] - July 27, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On July 27, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo detained a defendant accused of murder in a domestic violence case. 

Charles Terry Jr., 59, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly strangling and beating his wife, 39-year-old Lennette Clark, while his two children were in the home. The incident occurred on Jan. 30 on the 1500 Block of Anacostia Avenue, NE. 

Defense attorneys called the lead homicide detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who said Terry and Clark had a history of engaging in violent disputes.

According to the detective, Clark’s family and friends, as well as records from the DC Child and Family Services agency, indicate Clark had a history of PCP use. An autopsy indicated that PCP was in her system at the time of her death. 

The MPD detective said the drug can make someone combative and cause them to have hallucinations. 

After the incident the detective said there were scratches on Terry’s arms.

Defense attorney Joseph Yarbough said there was no indication Terry started the dispute between him and Clark. He also said it was possible Clark started the altercation because of her frequent erratic behavior in the past. 

According to the MPD detective, when he arrived at the scene he noticed obvious trauma to Clark’s head and blood spattered on the floor and walls, indicating her death was not due to natural causes. 

He noted the defendant did not sustain life threatening injuries. 

Prosecutors called the murder “brutal” and “horrific,” and they asked for Terry’s detention because one of Terry and Clark’s children testified before a grand jury that they heard their mother begging for her life during an argument right before she died.

According to prosecutors, Terry left the scene and their children found Clark dead the next morning. 

Prosecutors also brought up Terry’s criminal history for burglary and driving under the influence which dated back to the 1980s. 

Yarbough asked for Terry to be released under a high intensity supervision program because of his age and because his previous criminal history was for non-violent crimes. 

Judge Demeo said there is sufficient evidence which points to his alleged actions being premeditated. She determined he poses a “serious risk” and there are no appropriate release conditions which can be put in place to guarantee the community’s safety. 

Demeo ruled for Terry’s continued arrested.

Parties are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 6.