James B. Clark Jr. (February 8, 1957 – April 19, 1996) was an inmate executed in the State of Delaware for the murder of his adoptive parents.
[2] Clark had served 21 years of a 30-year sentence for his attempted slaying of a 3-year-old girl in 1973, but in spite of his failure to participate in rehabilitation and repeated discipline by prison authorities for fighting, he was released for good behavior.
His case inspired public outrage and proposed legislation to curtail unwarranted early release.
In December 1969, after being expelled from school once more, Clark was sent to the Governor Bacon Health Center, where he received residential treatment for 1.5 years.
He then pleaded no contest to abducting a child under the age of 12 and assault with intent to commit murder, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.