'Craigslist Killer' Sentenced To 20 Years For Naperville Murder

Grant Muren has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2014 murder of his new roommate, Charles Clark, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney's Office press release. He received 14 years for second degree murder and six years for aggravated arson.

In January 2014, Muren, then 21, responded to a Craigslist ad seeking a roommate and moved into Charles Clark's apartment on Vail Court in Naperville. Prosecutors said on the day Muren moved in, he and Clark drank alcohol, played video games and had a consensual sexual encounter, according to the Daily Herald. An argument ensued, and Muren stuck Clark in the head with a small table, then Muren strangled the 55-year-old man.

Muren then turned on a oven and left it open allowing the apartment to fill with natural gas. He then put his rental agreement in a toaster and turned it on, according to the release. Before leaving with his belongings, Muren attempted to light three small fires in an attempt to cause an explosion.

The following day, Muren was arrested after police pulled him over for a traffic violation.

Defense attorneys claimed that an intoxicated Clark attacked Muren first.

"This is all the result of (Clark) violently attacking Grant and Grant defending himself," attorney Michael Gillespie told the Daily Herald. "It was a horrible decision. Grant made a horrible decision after surviving a violent attack."

That argument did not convince Judge Brian Telander, who found Muren guilty in a bench trial.

“On January 22, 2014, Charles Clarke’s life came to a violent end at the hands of his new roommate, Grant Muren,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said. “...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."

Muren must serve half of his 14-year murder sentence and 85 percent of his six-year sentence for arson. With two years of time served in jail, Muren will be eligible for parole in just over ten years, according to Paul Farrah, the media coordinator for the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Photo of Grant Muren from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office