DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin today announced that Grant Muren, 24, has been sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the 2014 death of fifty-five-year-old Charles Clarke of Vail Court, Naperville. On September 16, 2014, following a bench trial, Judge Brian Telander found Muren guilty of Second Degree Murder. Additionally, Judge Telander found Muren guilty of Aggravated Arson, a Class X Felony, and Residential Arson, a Class 1 Felony.
On Wednesday, January 22, 2014, Naperville police officers responded to a call at Clarke’s home. Upon their arrival, officers smelled natural gas and located the deceased body of Clarke in the bedroom area. At some point in time earlier that day, Clarke and Muren were in the home together as Muren had recently moved in to the residence with Clarke. While both men were home, a physical altercation ensued resulting in Muren striking Clarke over the head with a small table and then strangling him. Muren then turned on the gas oven and left the door open allowing gas to fill the apartment. Muren then put his rental agreement papers in the toaster and turned on the toaster. He then gathered his belongings and fled the premises. The following day Muren was apprehended by police officers after he was pulled over for a traffic violation. He has remained in custody since that time being held on a $2 million bond with 10% to apply.
“On January 22, 2014, Charles Clarke’s life came to a violent end at the hands of his new roommate, Grant Muren,” Berlin said. “Today, more than three years later, Charles’ family and friends continue to grieve their loss. It is my sincerest hope that with today’s sentence, those who loved and miss Charles will be able to put this horrible time of their lives to rest and begin to move forward knowing that the man responsible for Charles’ death will spend a significant amount of time behind bars. I would like to thank the Naperville Police and the DuPage County Major Crimes Task Force for their outstanding work on case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Jim Scaliatine, Enza LaMonica and Dave Friedland for their efforts in ensuring that Mr. Muren will pay for the senseless murder of Charles Clarke.”
Muren was sentenced to fourteen years, to be served at 50%, for second degree murder and six years, to be served at 85%, for Aggravated Arson. The sentences will run consecutively.
