(From the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)
On November 19, 2025, a Jasper County jury convicted William Clarke of Burglary in the First Degree Burglary and Assault in the Second Degree after a two-day jury trial. Clarke was charged with entering the
home of Alejandro Mesa-Perez and assaulting him.
At trial Mesa testified that the defendant threatened to kill him and his dog. Mesa was inside his home when the defendant began pounding on his door.
Fearing for his life, Mesa picked up a small baseball bat to defend himself. The defendant forced his way into the residence and assaulted Mesa. Defendant forced Mesa outside the home where the defendant then picked up an oak stick and beat Mesa with it.
Mesa managed to get away and ran back inside his home where he retrieved a paintball gun. Mesa pointed the paintball gun at defendant who believed the gun to be a shotgun. Defendant then backed away. Mesa called 911, and Joplin police responded immediately. After investigation, defendant was located and interviewed.
Detective Watkins testified that during questioning, the defendant admitted that he was wrong in going onto the victim’s property and initiating contact with him. At trial, the State presented the testimony of the victim, a cell phone video of the incident, and the testimony of Detective Watkins. The defendant presented no evidence. The jury deliberated just less than an hour before finding the defendant guilty on both counts. After the jury’s verdict, the defendant was taken into custody. Sentencing is scheduled for
January 26, 2026.
January 26, 2026.
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