Man faces charge of child sex

The defense lawyer said Richard Clark did not sexually assault the boy.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Long after the cake and ice cream were gone, Richard Clark served up sex to a 12-year-old boy who was attending a birthday party at Clark's house, prosecutors say.
Clark is on trial in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, where his lawyer told jurors Tuesday that Clark is innocent.
"This is a situation where there are more fabrications than truth," said Clark's attorney, Ted Macejko Jr.
Clark, 52, of Sheridan Road, is charged with rape and gross sexual imposition. He could be sentenced to life in prison if he is convicted. Jurors heard opening statements from lawyers Tuesday afternoon and were to begin hearing testimony today in the courtroom of Judge R. Scott Krichbaum.
Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Krueger said the victim was among a group of children attending an overnight birthday party for one of Clark's children at Clark's home Nov. 10, 2002.
After the other children had gone to sleep, the victim was sitting on a couch with Clark, watching a movie, Krueger said as she detailed events, including oral sex, that led to the charges.
She said the boy was too scared to make Clark stop, but fled soon after the sex act, running home to tell his parents what had happened.
Defense
Macejko told jurors that he realizes the allegations against his client are "repugnant," but said Clark did not sexually assault the boy. He said jurors will find no evidence of an assault, and urged them not to be swayed by the emotional sensitivity of the case.
The accuser, who had just turned 12 when the alleged assault happened, was expected to testify when the trial resumed today.
bjackson@vindy.com