Carson City jury returns 'justifiable homicide' verdict in coroner's inquest on Malone death
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 3:00pm
CARSON CITY — A jury of three delivered a verdict Friday finding the Feb. 15, 2020 killing of Clint Garett Malone to be “justifiable homicide.” Malone, 37, died as the result of multiple stab wounds inflicted inside a residence on Woodside Drive.
According to testimony from the occupants of the residence, they did not know who Malone was and his entry was without their permission. The male occupant fought with Malone, gained possession of a nearby knife, and stabbed him. The verdict concluded a three-day coroner’s inquest into the circumstances of Malone’s death. Carson City Justice of the Peace Thomas Armstrong presided over the inquest. District Attorney Jason Woodbury questioned 23 witnesses about the incident and introduced 104 exhibits during the proceeding.
A coroner’s inquest is not a criminal trial. Its purpose is to determine whether the conduct that resulted in an individual’s death was legally justified, excused, or criminal. Following the presentation of evidence and instruction on the applicable law, the jury was charged to return a verdict reflecting the manner of death. If the verdict had ruled the homicide to be a criminal act, a warrant would have been issued for Malone’s killer and criminal charges would have followed.
Woodbury said he felt the inquest “served its purpose,” and thanked the jurors for their time and attention during the proceedings. “Anytime you’re talking about the death of a human being, you’re obviously talking about a very important investigation,” said Woodbury. “A coroner’s inquest allows us to openly and transparently present such an investigation to a jury that can impartially evaluate the evidence and determine whether criminal charges are warranted.”
Last week’s proceeding was Carson City’s coroner’s inquest in decades.
