The parents of Jarret Clark, a Broken Arrow teenager, whose body was found floating in the waters off of Wahoo Bay in 2006, have filed a petition for the courts to impanel a Grand Jury to investigate his death.

Tammy Jo Slater and Eric Davis Slater, Clark''s mother and stepfather, have filed papers in Wagoner County District Court requesting this.

Clark, a 2006 graduate of Broken Arrow Senior High School, was camping in the vicinity of Wahoo Bay during the time period of May 14, 2006. When he did not return home, his parents notified the authorities. A number of people between 40 to 50, mostly law enforcement, searched the area.

On May 18, 2006, his body was found floating in about 26 feet of water about 300 yards east of the shorelines.

A toxicology report on Clark came back inconclusive, as his death was ruled a drowning.

Last week, the petition was approved by District Judge Bruce Sewell for the Slaters to get the necessary signatures to impanel a Grand Jury.

Tammy Slater said on Monday morning that they have already gathered about 1,800 signatures in one weekend alone.

"We''re making some head way," she said. "We truly have a lot of support."

She reported people are walking around their neighborhoods knocking on doors asking for people to sign. There are also tents set up in various locations.

The Slaters allege in their petition filed by their attorney Mark Collier that Clark got into a fight with two of the people named in the petition, who beat him until he was unconscious, and then moved him into the lake, leaving him face-down where he drowned.

The petition alleges these actions were the result of jealousy of one of those named because Clark was talking with the girlfriend of one of those named.

The petition accuses three people of manipulating evidence at the scene, and informing other individuals about the alleged fight.

After Clark''s body was found, Sheriff''s Investigator Bob Haley was asked whether there were any marks on the body. He responded that the body had been in the water for so long, it was not determinable.

No charges have been filed by the District Attorney''s Office, but DA Jerry Moore said Clark''s death is still an ongoing investigation. He said he could not comment much at this time, because it is still an open case.

"I do think it''s a way that they can dislodge some information and evidence to help a prosecution go forward," Moore said about the Grand Jury petition.

It does ask for the Wagoner County District Attorney''s office to be disqualified as legal advisor as the Grand Jury''s inquiry may involve an investigation into its office and handling of the case. Past and current employees of the office may also be called to testify at the Grand Jury hearing, according to the lawsuit.

Collier said the petition is based on general allegations of what people have heard about the death. He is hoping for a Grand Jury to move forward for a true bill of indictments.
"It''s clear we have at least that much," he said.

Around town, signs have been posted in people''s yards which read "Justice for Jarret" for about a year now. There is a web site www.jarretaustinclark.com where people can find locations in Wagoner County to sign the petition.

Local businesses, Simmons Video, Renewal Drycleaning and Modern Cleaners, all in Wagoner, have the petitions.

There are also petitions at Sharon and Kay''s Restaurant in Coweta and at BA Wine and Spirits in Broken Arrow.

The web site also has a link to www.rockthevote.com where people can sign up to vote. There are also memorial pictures and videos on the web site of Clark''s life.

The Slaters will have 45 days to collect the required signatures which is 2,729 of Wagoner County voters, according to state law. Then, the signatures will have to be turned into the Wagoner County Election Board to verify them.

Tammy Slater said on the advice of their attorney, that they are hoping to get about 5,000 signatures just to be safe, in case people sign the petition twice, or their signatures are not valid.