Man arrested in connection with burglaries, theft of firearms
Two Vancouver men accused of first-degree murder in connection with the Oct. 1 killing of Matthew Clark pleaded not guilty in court Thursday.
Kirk Michael Hernandez Sr., 42, represented by attorney Tom Phelan, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm and 10 counts of theft of a firearm.
Darrell Christopher Fry, 33, represented by attorney Bob Yoseph, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
The two waived their right to a speedy trial. Clark County Superior Court Judge Dan Stahnke set trial for April 22.
Hernandez and Fry were arrested Oct. 13.
Police allege the two went to Clark’s Hazel Dell home at 9610 N.E. 25th Ave. around 6 a.m. on Oct. 1 to settle a debt. The two men told police that after they entered the home, Clark attacked Hernandez, knocking him to the ground. Hernandez told police that a revolver came out of his pocket and went off two or three times as he and Clark struggled, according to an affidavit filed by Clark County sheriff’s Detective Kevin Harper.
The men fled. A neighbor heard gunshots and called police. Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found Clark dead, with two gunshot wounds.
Their next court date is Dec. 18.
