Accused Craigslist Killer Pleads 'Not Guilty' to Murder of Naperville Man

Wearing orange jail scrubs and entering a near-empty DuPage County Courtroom, accused Craigslist killer Grant Van Muren entered a plea of not guilty to the murder of a Naperville resident.

Muren glanced around the courtroom and stood a few feet away from Judge Kathryn Creswell’s bench as attorneys filed paperwork Monday morning.

The 21-year-old St. Charles man is accused of battering and strangling Charles Clark, and then torching Clark’s townhouse to conceal the murder, court documents say.

Clark had advertised for a roommate to share his townhome in the 1100 block of Vail Street in Naperville. 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 Muren with a blunt object before strangling him, according to reports.

Just 12 days before, Clark had 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."

Muren has been indicted on 12 counts of first-degree murder, concealment of a homicide, aggravated arson and robbery. Bail has been set for $2 million.

DuPage County prosecutors filed 189 pages of discovery on Monday. Muren’s attorney, Mike Gillespsie, asked for the judge’s permission to bring a laptop and DVD video records from Muren’s interrogation by Naperville police.

Gillespie also asked for a room at the jailhouse where he could review prosecutors’ evidence with his client. Judge Creswell granted the court order.

Muren is due back in court on April 10, where his attorney is expected to file a motion to reduce bail. To bond out of jail, Muren is required to post ten-percent or $200,000, of his $2 million bail.