MARKHAM | A Calumet City man accused of killing his live-in girlfriend, a Munster hairstylist, learned Friday he had been indicted by a grand jury.
Donol Clark, 42, appeared in court before Associate Judge Darron Bowden for a preliminary hearing, only to learn that a grand jury had returned an indictment against him. He is accused in the homicide of Gena Chiodo, who worked at a Munster hair salon.
That indictment charges Clark with two counts of murder and one charge of concealment of a homicide. Prior to the indictment, Clark had faced one count of murder.
Clark remained silent during his appearance before Bowden, and also during a brief appearance before Judge Kathleen Panozzo, who is hearing a case related to Clark’s possible violation of conditional discharge for a domestic battery conviction involving a previous girlfriend.
Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Tom Driscoll said Friday’s court activity was part of the criminal procedure, and that the next court hearing Nov. 27, “will have more activity.”
That hearing is Clark’s scheduled arraignment, at which time he will enter his plea to the charges and will be assigned to a judge for his eventual trial.
Clark’s attorney, Michael O’Meara, said Friday’s court activity was anticipated. He also introduced to the judge attorney Philip Coffey, who identified himself as a co-counsel hired to assist O’Meara with Clark’s defense.
Clark, being held at the county jail without bond, faces criminal charges for what police in Calumet City have said was a fight between Clark and Chiodo at the house they lived in on Price Street.
Three days after the fight, police visited the house because a missing person’s report had been filed with police in Hammond.
Police have said the officers found traces of blood and broken objects in several rooms. Clark told police he had a quarrel with Chiodo and that she had left on her own, but police and the state’s attorney’s office have said there are inconsistencies in his account that make them skeptical.
Clark faces criminal charges even though as of Friday, police have yet to find Chiodo’s remains.
Several of her friends have volunteered to search wooded areas near Chiodo’s home, but police have said they have not uncovered any clues.
“We’re continuing to follow up leads, but unfortunately we have not found the missing young lady,” said Calumet City Police Deputy Chief Dan Zorzi.
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