Man Convicted of 2009 Laurel Killing

From the City of Laurel: 

On October 13, 2009, the Laurel Police Department responded to the 16000 block of Dorset Road, in Laurel, for the report of an unattended death. The victim, identified as Anthony Sparacino, age 44, was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, Maryland, where an autopsy revealed that he died as the result of blunt force trauma. The death was ruled as a homicide.

The City of Laurel Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit and Evidence Technicians worked this case extensively. As a result of the comprehensive investigation, a person of interest and/or potential suspect was identified as Clark R. McKnight. Forensic evidence linked Mr. McKnight, a 45 year-old resident of the District of Columbia, to the scene of the crime on Dorset Rd. 

A Jury Trial in Prince George’s County, Maryland Circuit Court was presided over by Judge Serrette. The four-day long trial began on Monday, February 25, 2013 and concluded on Thursday, February 28, 2013 with a guilty verdict for 1st Degree Murder and Robbery. Sentencing for Mr. McKnight is scheduled for April 19, 2013 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Laurel City Police Chief Richard McLaughlin is very proud of the fine work conducted by members of the Laurel City PoliceDepartment in bringing this case to a successful conclusion. Chief McLaughlin notes “that the individual responsible for the violent death of a City resident has been removed from the streets and justice has been served in this case”. Laurel Mayor Craig Moe says “We are all indebted to the men and women of the Laurel Police Department for their skill and dedication making Laurel a safer place to live, work and enjoy.” 

In the City of Laurel, there was one homicide reported in 2009 (noted above), a murder-suicide in 2011 and none reported in the City of Laurel in 2010 and 2012.