LANCASTER, PA — Nearly a decade after a deadly shooting at a Lancaster city bar, Lamar Clark is back in court for a retrial, arguing that he fired his weapon in self-defense, while prosecutors allege he was solely responsible for the fatal 2014 shooting.
Clark, now in his second trial, is facing charges including homicide, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment. The incident, which took place at the now-closed Shenk’s Café on Nov. 7, 2014, left Barry Diffenderfer, 54, dead and Cynthia Boots injured. Prosecutors say Clark fired five shots inside the crowded bar.
During opening statements Monday, defense attorney John Masslon argued that Clark shot Joshwin Gonzalez in the arm in self-defense after feeling threatened. According to Masslon, another man, Dennis Ishman, grabbed at Clark’s arm, which led to the discharge of additional rounds, fatally striking Diffenderfer and wounding Boots.
If jurors do not accept the self-defense claim, Masslon presented two alternative legal theories: either Clark acted recklessly by failing to control his firearm when Ishman grabbed it, or he acted under imperfect self-defense, meaning he believed he was justified in firing, even if he legally was not.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman contends that Clark fired all five shots himself, and no one else was seen with a weapon. Fetterman plans to call multiple witnesses, including Clark’s sister, Veldresha Lucas, who testified in his 2016 trial that she saw her brother fire the shots.
At that trial, Clark was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to 38½ to 87 years in prison. However, the Pennsylvania Superior Court granted a new trial in June 2023, ruling that Clark’s original attorney was ineffective for failing to request an involuntary manslaughter charge be included in the jury instructions.
Surveillance footage and witness statements form the backbone of the case. Police tracked Clark after he fled the scene, later arresting him near a Turkey Hill store two blocks away. A teenager handed police a gun allegedly given to him by Clark. Defense argues police mishandled evidence, including failing to test for DNA that could link the gun to Ishman.
The trial is expected to continue through the week.
