Yale murder was 'workplace violence'

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Police are now calling the murder of a Yale grad student a case of workplace violence.

Raymond Clark and grad student Annie Lee worked at a Yale Research lab together, assisting with animal experiments.

Now, Clark is behind bars charged with killing Lee then stuffing her body behind a wall in the lab.

The arrest of a 24 year old animal lab technician highlights the danger of workplace violence.

Dr. George Abbot a clinical Psychologist at Holyoke Medical Center says many things can make someone aggressive towards a coworker.

"There are so many possible triggers in the workplace for some people it's a romantic interest even though it's supposed to be work, for other people it's getting a promotion, for other people it's getting the job done in a certain way," Dr. Abbot explains.

Ronald Holstead a professor of sociology at American International College says a confining workplace can also cause tension and frustration, leading to violence.

He says technology plays a big role in creating a confined workplace, from key cards to get into the building to cameras watching employees at all times.

He says, "That in and of itself becomes an impediment to releasing other types of frustration so it could actually drive you to being more violent than say someone in an open environment.”

Although Raymond Clark's arrest is bringing some relief to the Yale campus, it maybe a while before the circumstances surrounding the Le's murder become clear.