More than six years after his conviction in one of the Southern Tier’s most notorious murder cases, Michael Beard is breaking his silence on national television. In an interview with ABC’s 20/20, Beard, found guilty of first-degree murder in the brutal bludgeoning death of Kelley Stage Clayton, asserts his innocence and sheds new light on the case. The two-hour program, titled “What the Little Girl Saw,” aired on ABC affiliates nationwide.
A Murder that Gripped the Southern Tier
The night of September 29, 2015, will forever be etched in the memory of the Southern Tier community. Thomas Clayton made a frantic call to the Steuben County 911 center, reporting the death of his wife, Kelley. What initially seemed like a tragic domestic incident soon took a surprising turn. A family member mentioned another name – Michael Beard.
You are viewing: The Little Girl’s Witness: A Murder Case Revisited
Beard, a former employee of Clayton’s, had recently been fired from a local franchise. His connection to Clayton and the discovery of his DNA on the murder weapon led to a shocking revelation – the murder was a case of hired killing. Prosecutors charged both Beard and Clayton with first-degree murder.
Michael Beard Breaks His Silence
The 20/20 segment not only provides a platform for the harrowing story of Clayton’s young daughter, Charlie, who witnessed her mother’s murder but also offers Michael Beard an opportunity to share his side of the story. Beard emphasizes that his relationship with Thomas Clayton was primarily work-related, recounting the time he spent at Clayton’s home, performing various tasks and caring for the children.
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According to Beard, Clayton’s proposal was not as it has been portrayed. He claims that Clayton, aware of Beard’s financial struggles, offered him a side job. Beard frequently visited the Clayton house to assist with restoration work, often at odd hours due to the nature of their business.
Beard admits to finding Kelley’s lifeless body in the home but maintains that he did not check her condition or call for help. Fear overwhelmed him, as he understood the implications of a Black man being discovered in a white woman’s house late at night. Beard candidly confesses his failure to contact emergency services, explaining his desire to extricate himself from an unfolding situation that had nothing to do with him.
Beard’s interview also reveals that he encountered another person in the Clayton house, though he was unable to identify them due to the chaotic circumstances. He asserts that Clayton orchestrated the late-night meeting to implicate him in Kelley’s death.
The Aftermath
Both Thomas Clayton and Michael Beard received life sentences without the possibility of parole. Their convictions have been exhaustively appealed, closing the chapter on their legal battles. Kelley Clayton’s family shares that her children, Charlie and Cullen, are coping as well as can be expected, given the trauma they have endured.
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The Clayton case has served as a powerful reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence. Purple ribbons and “Justice for Kelley” signs stand as symbols of solidarity and advocacy. This high-profile murder case has attracted national attention, with numerous news magazine programs airing on ABC, CNN, and the Headline News Network.
Today, Michael Beard serves his life sentence at Auburn Correctional Facility, while Thomas Clayton remains incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York.
To watch the 20/20 episode on the Clayton case, visit ABC’s official website.
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Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: Blog
