Raymond Clark III, who is charged with the murder of Annie Le GRD ’13, appeared in court today as New Haven Superior Court Judge Roland Fasano ruled in favor of his attorneys’ request to return Clark’s seized car.

Still, the prosecution can use secondary evidence, such as photographs of Clark’s red 2000 Ford Mustang, said John Waddock, the state prosecutor handling the case.

According to the motion filed by the defense, the police’s continuing possession of Clark’s car was causing “undue hardship” on members of Clark’s family, one whom co-signed a loan so Clark could buy the car and needs to make monthly payments on it. The car will be returned to Clark’s family, said Clark’s attorney, Joseph Lopez said Tuesday.

Clark pleaded not guilty to Le’s murder in January. Police found a pair of bloody white Converse sneakers, stained hospital scrubs and a dark garbage bag in the car, according to search and seizure warrants released in early December.

“We don’t believe there is anything that has been found or connected to that car that has anything to do with the allegations,” Lopez said Tuesday.

The next pre-trial court date is set for May 5. Clark is being held on $3 million bond.