JURY ACQUITS OFFICER ON DRUG CHARGE

A Coahoma County Circuit Court jury deliberated 20 minutes to acquit a
Clarksdale police officer of drug possession charges Friday. The
not-guilty verdict was returned just after noon, clearing Daryl Clark
of possession of approximately two grams of powder cocaine. "The jury
viewed the evidence as circumstantial," said Assistant District
Attorney Michael Williams. "We respect the decision of the jury." The
prosecution's key evidence was a July 18 surveillance tape from inside
the Police Department that showed a bag of white powder fall out of
Clark's pocket onto a hallway floor.

The substance in the bag was discovered by other officers hours later
and determined to be cocaine.

"We introduced the tape into evidence and used it," Williams said.
"The jury still found it to be circumstantial evidence."

The prosecution called eight witnesses during the 11/2-day trial.
Clark's defense attorney Azki Shah called no witnesses.

Shah could not be reached for comment after the trail. Clark was
placed on paid administrative leave by the Board of Mayor and
Commissioner days after the incident. The board may decide as early as
Monday whether to reinstate Clark.