Tyler Man Executed

HUNTSVILLE (Staff/AP) – A Tyler man has been executed at a state prison in Huntsville. Troy James Clark, 51, was put to death Wednesday evening for the May, 1998 slaying of Christina Muse, 20, of Tyler. Evidence showed Clark hit Muse with a stun gun, beat her, bound her and kept her in a closet before she was drowned at Clark’s home. He then stuffed her body into a barrel with cement and lime before dumping it in a ravine. Records indicate Clark, who was a 6th grade dropout, and a friend were using and selling methamphetamine and were worried she would snitch on them. The U.S. Supreme Court, last October, rejected his appeal. Clark had contended he had deficient legal help at his Smith County trial in 2000.