Darris Allen trial set for February in Robert Dark murder case

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A Warren County judge has set a February trial date for a man charged in connection with the 2025 shooting death of a Bowling Green business owner.

Darris Allen appeared in Warren Circuit Court Monday, Sept. 21, for a pretrial conference in the case involving the death of 39-year-old Robert Dark.

The judge set Allen’s jury trial for February 24, 2027.

Before the trial, Allen’s attorney plans to file several motions involving evidence in the case. The motions are expected to ask the judge to make decisions about whether certain evidence can be used during the trial.

A hearing on those motions was scheduled for Nov. 16 at 9 a.m.

Dark was shot and killed June 25, 2025, inside Martin Auto Mart at 1001 U.S. 31-W Bypass in Bowling Green. Bowling Green police responded to the business around 12:21 p.m. and found Dark dead inside.

According to court records, investigators determined Dark had multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities said surveillance video showed a suspect entering the business before gunshots were heard. The suspect was later seen leaving the business and getting into a vehicle. Investigators later located a vehicle they said matched the one seen in the surveillance footage.

Allen, 42, of Bowling Green, was arrested June 30, 2025. He is charged with murder by complicity. According to the criminal complaint, Allen allegedly helped facilitate the shooting that resulted in Dark’s death.

Court records also say Allen and Dark had been business partners in a local restaurant that had recently closed.

Donald Swain, 46, of Louisville, was arrested July 10, 2025, and identified by Bowling Green police as a co-conspirator in the case.

Allen’s case was previously scheduled for trial in October 2025, but that trial did not take place.

Allen remains charged with murder by complicity. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.