A former lab technician was sentenced to 44 years in prison today in the 2009 murder of a Yale University graduate student.
Raymond Clark the Third told the courtroom that he, alone, was responsible for the death of 24-year old Yale pharmacology student Annie Le. Clark pleaded guilty in March to murder and attempted sexual assault.
Le disappeared in September 2009. Her body was discovered five days later behind the wall of a high security, university research building. DNA evidence linked Clark to the crime.
15 members of Le’s family traveled from California to New Haven for the sentencing. Her mother, 2 uncles and brother read from prepared statements...and described an ongoing sense of grief, anguish, and pain -- as well as a need to forgive and the need to try and move on.
Outside the courtroom, Attorney Joe Tacopina said there may have been some difference of opinion between family members over 44-year prison sentence.
"While some members perhaps wanted a life sentence most do appreciate and understand that the system worked today. That justice has been served," he said.
He also said Annie mother will continue to pursue changes to security at Yale, including possible civil action.
"This is going to be something that we’re going to follow through till she feels a sense of justice and she feels Annie’s death was not in vain," Tacopina said.
Raymond Clark’s father also addressed the court and said that the events of September 2009 had devastated two families and shocked a nation.
In a statement Yale thanked law enforcement officials for their role in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.
