Former Yale lab tech appears in court; hearing set

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - A former Yale University lab technician charged with strangling a graduate student and stuffing her body behind a laboratory wall appeared in court Tuesday but did not enter a plea to murder.

Raymond Clark III, 24, appeared in an orange jumpsuit in New Haven Superior Court. He’s accused of strangling 24-year-old Annie Le of Placerville, Calif. His lawyers say he eventually will plead not guilty.

The judge scheduled a probable cause hearing for Oct. 20, in which sides will have the right to introduce evidence and call witnesses.

Under Connecticut law, defendants accused of murder have the right to the hearing within 60 days of their arrest to decide if the case will go forward.

Under state law, defendants charged with crimes punishable by death or life in prison do not enter a plea before a judge determines there is probable cause to believe they committed the crime. Defendants may waive their right to a probable cause hearing.