Commerce man to serve life sentence for killing his grandson

JEFFERSON - A Commerce man faces life in prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting his 6-year-old grandson as the family was preparing to go on a Sunday afternoon picnic.

Robert L. ``Bobby'' Clark Jr. killed his stepgrandson, Michael Levigne, and shot his wife, Linda Clark, several times in the abdomen at the couple's home on June 7. Relatives say Clark became enraged after his wife accused him of taking a piece of watermelon meant for the picnic.

After the couple argued, Clark got his gun from the bedroom and killed the boy. Linda Clark was critically injured when she stepped in front of Michael's 5-year-old brother to protect him.

Robert Clark pleaded guilty to malice murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and aggravated battery. He could have faced the death penalty at trial.