Medaryville resident, 51-year-old Danny Clark, was sentenced to 76 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections in a Pulaski Circuit Court hearing Thursday morning. Clark was found guilty by a jury in April on several charges surrounding the death of William “Neil” Toosley in August 2018.
Evidence in the trial showed that Clark entered a home in rural Medaryville without permission and waited there with a shotgun because he said he wanted to talk to the homeowner, according to Pulaski County Prosecutor Kelly Gaumer. When Toosley entered the home, evidence in the trial indicated that Clark pointed the gun at him and ordered him to the ground. Clark then hit Toosley in the back of the head several times which proved to be fatal, according to the report. Evidence presented showed that Clark set the home on fire, stole the vehicle Toosley drove to the residence, and then fled the scene.
Clark was apprehended two weeks later in Louisiana.
Prosecutor Gaumer told WKVI News that Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker found several aggravating factors including a prior conviction of domestic violence, a protective order violation, the act was premeditated, and he fled to avoid prosecution. There were no mitigating factors found.
Gaumer added that several of the victim’s family members presented impact statements during the sentencing hearing.
Clark was sentenced to 60 years on the charge of murder, one year on the charge of invasion of privacy, and another 15 years on charges of arson, abuse of a corpse, resisting law enforcement, and auto theft. All counts will be served consecutively.
Gaumer said Clark intends to appeal the sentence. The assignment of counsel will need to be filed to move on with that process.
