Suspect in Family Slaying ‘Not Man I Know,’ Wife Says

The wife of Robert P. Clark--whom the FBI says is really John List, a man who killed his family in 1971--says his arrest is unbelievable and that the alleged killer “is not the man I know.”

Delores Clark, asking reporters “to respect my right to my personal privacy during this very dramatic and uncertain time,” issued a statement that was copyrighted Friday by the Richmond News Leader.

John Emil List, 63, was profiled on the TV program “America’s Most Wanted” May 21. Of the more than 200 tips from viewers that the FBI received from the program, one said a man resembling List lived at a Midlothian address under the name Robert Clark, FBI Agent Tom O’Donnell said.

The inconspicuous accountant was arrested without incident Thursday at work. The suspect denied he is List but the FBI said a positive link had been made through fingerprints.

List is charged with shooting his mother, wife and three children in their Westfield, N.J. home, and authorities said he left a five-page note detailing the crime.

Authorities said that he had been living a quiet life--active in his church, puttering in his yard on weekends--and that he had no problems with the law while a fugitive.

The News Leader’s copyright story quoted his pastor, closest friend and neighbors as saying that the arrest was “unbelievable” and “impossible.”

One friend, unidentified by the newspaper, said that List had told Delores Clark he had been married before to an alcoholic who died of cancer. “He told her she went through a slow, agonizing death,” the friend said.

Expresses Amazement

“This is either the most unbelievable mix-up or . . . he is the biggest con man who ever walked the Earth,” another unidentified friend told the paper.

Delores Clark said that she was making her statement “reluctantly” and that she would have no further comment.

“I was shocked to hear about Bob’s arrest and what he is charged with,” the statement said. “This is not the man I know. The man I know is kind, loving, a devoted husband and a dear friend. He is a quiet yet friendly man who loves his work and the people he works with.”