Accused 'Craigslist Killer' Says Victim Tried to Gouge Out His Eyes

A St. Charles man charged with murdering his new Naperville roommate is arguing that the victim attacked him and tried to gouge out his eyes first, and that he simply responded in self defense, according to the Naperville Sun.

Grant Muren, 21, who had recently lived in St. Charles, moved in with Charles Clark, 55, in Naperville, after Clark posted a Craigslist ad seeking a roommate — but after less than eight hours, prosecutors say Muren strangled Clark, burned their lease agreement and fled, the Naperville Sun reports. 

Clark had advertised for a roommate to share his townhome in the 1100 block of Vail Street in Naperville, Patch reported earlier. The two had only lived together about eight hours when they got into a fight after the men were intimate, Muren claimed. He allegedly hit Clark with a blunt object before strangling him, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Just 12 days before he died, Clark placed an ad on Craigslist, stating:

"Yes the room is for rent, you are invited to come by and take a look and see if it suits your needs. I am a computer technician and very quiet and easy going."

The Chicago Tribune reported that Muren flooded the house with natural gas and attempted to ignite the gas by placing lease paperwork inside a toaster before he left.

Muren has been indicted on 12 counts of first-degree murder, concealment of a homicide, aggravated arson and robbery.

Lorraine Swanson and Brian Slupski contributed to this story.