The man charged with killing Gregory Leroy Clark told jurors he threatened Clark, but denied killing him.

Clinton Riley Potts said he told no one else he would kill Clark, as some prosecution witnesses testified earlier in Potts’ first-degree murder trial.

Potts said he was questioned by then Muskogee County Sheriff’s Investigator Tim Brown the day Clark was found slain near Boynton.

“He said I wasn’t a suspect because if I was involved, I would have cuts and scratches all over my body,” Potts told jurors.

Potts said he thought at one time that his then live-in girlfriend, Wendy Vogt, was having an affair with Clark. Potts said Vogt and her daughter stayed with Clark for less than one day after Potts and Vogt had an argument over money.

Potts also testified:

• He didn’t like Clark selling Vogt methamphetamine. Potts said he found out Clark was using Potts’ “old beater” truck to store meth lab makings.

Potts said the truck smelled like iodine that was spilled all over the seat of the truck. Potts said he burned the truck on the road near Clark’s home.

• He went to Clark’s house Nov. 18 to pick up two guns he had left there earlier.

• He said he was home with Vogt the night of Dec. 6, and on Dec. 7, 2004, Clark was found dead.

• He said he was surprised by Clark’s slaying but had nothing to do with it.

Potts was the only witness Friday. The judge told jurors there was to be one rebuttal witness that could not be located Friday and is expected to be present Monday.



Reach Donna Hales at 684-2923 or dhales @muskogeephoenix.com.



In court

WHO: Clinton Riley Potts, 34.

CHARGED: With first-degree murder in the 2004 death of Gregory Leroy Clark, 35.

DETAILS: Clark was found face down in his front yard about five miles south of Boynton Dec. 7, 2004.

Clark had been shot twice in the arms and suffered massive head trauma, according to an autopsy report. After he was killed, his face was cut and his throat was slit.

Potts has been in jail since being charged in November 2007.

WHAT’S NEXT: The case resumes at 9 a.m. Monday in District Judge Thomas Alford’s courtroom on the third floor of the Muskogee County Courthouse.