Man on trial in homeless killing

Prosecutors say a 23-year-old homeless man twice confessed to a friend that he beat another homeless man and stole a wad of money while arguing over sleeping arrangements.

The body of 54-year-old Michael Walter Evans Sr. was discovered April 5.

Assistant Public Defender Kara Donaldson said those dates call the state's case into question.

"This is a travesty of justice," she said.

Mr. Clark is charged with first degree murder, robbery and several other charges in the death of Mr. Evans. The trial began yesterday and is scheduled to last until Monday.

Mr. Logue, the state's key witness, testified yesterday he was drinking with Mr. Clark April 3 inside a shack at 712 N. Crain Highway - the current location of the used car lot for Brown's Honda City in Glen Burnie. He said Mr. Clark eventually left to go to his spot at the old Ernie Swanson Oldsmobile dealership at 7336 Ritchie Highway, only to return a couple hours later and say he'd beaten up someone. He said he found "an old man" sleeping in his spot and that he broke his ribs, messed up his face and stole some money.

An autopsy determined Mr. Evans died of multiple internal injuries - including fractured ribs and head trauma. Mr. Tyler said Mr. Evans' brother gave him $500 shortly before his death, but that police only found $10 on his body April 5.

Mr. Logue recounted an extended night of debauchery he and Mr. Clark shared April 3, including a couple beers at a nearby bar, breakfast at the Honeybee Diner and a cab ride from Glen Burnie to Brooklyn.

Police found Mr. Evans' body about 6:30 a.m. April 5 outside the Arundel House of Hope's Resource and Day Center, 514 N. Crain Highway. It was atop an air conditioning unit partially covered by a blanket.

The next day, police posted a flyer outside the center and Mr. Clark told Mr. Logue that was the man he had beaten up. And the day after that, April 7, Mr. Logue called police.

Ms. Donaldson described Mr. Logue's statements to police as the "ramblings of a jealous man."

She said Dr. Zabiullah Ali, of the state's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, performed an autopsy on Mr. Evans at 11:38 a.m. April 5 and determined he had only been dead eight to 10 hours. She said the autopsy found the injuries that led to Mr. Evans' death occurred less than 24 hours before his death.

"Allan Clark is not guilty," Ms. Donaldson said.