Sep 16, 2009 1:47 am US/Eastern
Yale 'Person Of Interest' Taken Into Custody
Raymond Clark, 24, Asked To Provide DNA Samples
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBS) ―
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24-year-old lab technician Raymond Clark was taken into police custody in New Haven Tuesday night as a 'person of interest' in the murder case of student Annie Le. Clark was taken from his Middletown home on September 15, 2009.
CBS
CBS 2 HD has learned police have taken into custody a "person of interest" in the case of a murdered Yale University graduate student.
A source close to the investigation said on Tuesday that investigators had been keeping tabs on 24-year-old Raymond Clark, a lab technician who worked in the same building as the victim.
By "person of interest," police mean they're focusing on a suspect, but have not yet filed charges. Police spent part of Tuesday at the Wharfside Commons Complex in Middletown, some 20 miles from Yale's New Haven campus, with a search warrant, and took him to the police station where he was asked to provide DNA samples.
"He is in police custody. If he cooperates and gives DNA he will be allowed to leave," New Haven Police Chief James Lewis said.
Whoever the killer is would probably have "key card" access to the labs, including the area behind the basement wall called a "chase," used to run wires and pipes between floors. That's where Le's body was found Sunday by cadaver dogs.
Clark worked in the building at 10 Amistad Street.
Sources said the "person of interest" failed a polygraph test and had marks on his body, indicating he'd been in a struggle.
The lab building reopened Tuesday, but people who work inside said it's far from a return to normal.
"Oh it's very eerie and it's very scary," said Yale employee Josica Johnson.
Police said they've questioned more than 100 people who knew Le or had access to the secured lab.
"It is still not nice to know there is someone our there who hasn't yet been caught," said Yale senior Victor Wong.
But others are reassured to learn that cops are moving closer to making an arrest.
"They're keeping the name quiet, but it's good to know they have a suspect," said Johnson.
Meanwhile, tributes to Le have been ongoing on two campuses – a candlelight vigil Monday night at Yale; and at her undergraduate alma mater, the University of Rochester, flags are flying half-staff to honor her memory.
Pastor Dennis Smith issued a short statement Tuesday on behalf of the family of Annie Le.
"The entire Yale community as well as our extended families and friends have been very supportive, helpful and caring. Our loss would have been immeasurably more difficult to cope with, without their support," Smith said.
Also released Tuesday night was a statement from a representative at the Temple of Le's Fiancée, Columbia Grad Student Jonathan Widawsky.
It reads, "Our deepest heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Jonathan and the Widawsky and Le families. We appeal to everyone to be respectful of their need for privacy during this difficult time."
The two were to be married Sunday in Syosset, the day Le's body was found.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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