Crime & Safety
Mistrial Declared for Former Macomb Dojo Owner Accused of Oral Sex with a Minor
The jury found itself deadlocked Friday in the trial of Joby Clark, who is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a minor in Macomb Township in 2009 and 2010.
A deadlocked jury resulted in a mistrial Friday in the trial of the 39-year-old man accused of engaging in sexual activity with a minor while the girl was a student at the Macomb Township karate school he once co-owned.
The jury was set to continue its deliberations Friday in the trial of Joby Clark, who faces three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, stemming from accusations that he engaged in oral sex with a minor in 2009 and 2010, according to court records.
However, a deadlocked jury lead Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Matthew S. Switalski to declare a mistrial Friday and schedule a new pretrial conference for Nov. 29 at 10 a.m., court records show.
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During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Clark, while a co-owner of Butoku Karate Dojo at 21 Mile and Garfield, engaged in oral sex with a female student who was only 14 and 15 years old at the time, The Macomb Daily reports.
Clark has continually denied the allegations.
Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The owner of Butoku Karate Dojo dissolved his partnership with Clark in January 2011.
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