Convicted Iowa City Counselor Sentenced to up to 25 Years
By Anna Lothson
Former Lemme Elementary School guidance counselor Donald Lyle Clark sits in the courtroom after making his initial appearance at the Johnson County District Court House on charges of Sexual Abuse-2nd Degree Monday, Aug. 10, 2009 in Iowa City. Clark is alleged to have sexually abused a young boy under the age of 12 during the 2003 to 2004 school year. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
Mar 18, 2010 at 12:01 PM CST
Story Updated:
Mar 18, 2010 at 3:25 PM CST
IOWA CITY - Former elementary guidance counselor Donald Clark continued to proclaim his innocence Thursday morning even as a judge sentenced him to up to 25-years in prison for sexually abusing a child.
A Johnson County jury convicted Clark in February of sexual abusing a fifth-grade student during the 2003-04 school year, at one point covering the boy’s mouth with a stuffed toy when he was crying during the abuse. The 25-year prison term is mandatory upon conviction of second-degree sexual abuse.
The victim’s mother said Clark changed her son from “happy-go-lucky” into an unhappy child.
“You were a very evil being,” she said during her victim impact statement. “I cannot even call you human. You were the trusted person of authority. You abused your power.”
The victim, now 16, said he spent many years carrying guilt from his encounters with Clark, adding it stole time from his family that he can never regain.
“His evil act put me on the path to destruction,” he said. “I lost all respect for others. I lost all respect for myself. I hated myself. I felt like an outcast from everyone. I went through dark times.”
The victim’s father, who was tearful, called Clark a monster, saying he wanted to “murder (you) in the most brutal way possible” for taking away his son’s innocence.
“Justice was done. May you rot in prison,” he said.
Clark faced the family as he spoke, saying he didn’t know why the victim accused him of such a “heinous” act that never occurred.
“One thing I know in this lifetime is that I’ve never hurt a child. You know, I know, and God knows, it was not me,” he said, looking at the victim. “You can take my freedom, but you can’t take my heart and soul.”
Clark said his fight is “just beginning.” He said he would have taken the plea deal had he been guilty because he has always taken responsibility for his actions.
Judge Douglas Russell denied a motion for a new trial and arrest of judgment requested by Clark’s attorney, John Robertson.
Robertson argued that no physical evidence was presented at trial and that the testimony did not provide enough substance to prove Clark’s guilt. He also claimed that a letter the victim wrote to his parents regarding the abuse allegations was provided just days before the trial began and that the denial for a continuance violated Clark’s right to a fair trial.
“We now have a verdict that we believe raises innumerable question marks,” Robertson said.
Assistant Johnson County Attorney Anne Lahey argued that Robertson furnished sufficient cross-examination about the letter and said the court was not prejudiced in denying the continuance.
Russell ordered Clark to serve 70 percent of his sentencing before becoming eligible for parole. The family is requesting more than $70,000 in restitution, which will be considered in a hearing at a later date.
More Good Stuff
Conversation Guidelines
Be Kind
Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.
Share Knowledge
Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.
Stay focused
Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.
Report Trouble
Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.
read the full guidelines here »
Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.
Most Popular >>