Pastor Howard Porter was found guilty of murder. He killed an old man for his money. The Porter case is a classic violation of trust. Porter used Frank Craig's money to enrich himself and his family. When Craig started to suspect he was being bled dry, Porter simply staged his death.
Jurors declined to give their names, but a few interviewed told a reporter that they found the evidence against Porter overwhelming.
"When Porter got on the stand, that was a mistake, I would say, for the defense," a female juror said.
In addition to the first-degree murder conviction, the jurors found two special circumstances: murder for financial gain and murder to silence a witness to theft.
The conviction with the special circumstances carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole. Porter was scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 2.
Source: The Modesto Bee | Jury finds ex-preacher Doug Porter guilty of murder
I watched this case rather than report on it. It did not involve sexual abuse, so I was not really interested. A friend pointed out that a pastor killing somebody is hypocrisy too. So here we are.
I found a good profile of the case here. I've also found a website dedicated to helping Pastor Porter. The support for Porter is strange given the evidence. He clearly stole Frank Craig's money. The evidence, in the form of real estate, is overwhelming. And he clearly tried to kill Frank Craig at least twice, succeeding on his second attempt. Yet people still claim Porter is innocent. The main reason given - Porter was a man of god. Nuff said.
Pastor Howard Porter will die in prison long after he is forgotten. It seems a fitting end for this monster.
10 comments:
I could not agree more. This man deserves a long useless life in prison. Better yet, he should be forced to care for elderly patients for the rest of his miserable life. What a scumbag!
A website dedicated to helping a pastor who committed murder in the first degree?
That's the problem with the willing suspension of disbelief that religion encourages. You get used to going through life with your critical thinking machine turned off and it becomes that much easier to drink the kool-aid, eat the pudding, or support the murderer.
It's hard for most humans to switch that willful ignorance on and off when they enter and exit the church. It's a habit of thought that makes us vulnerable to predators in clerical garb.
I could not disagree more.
To: tjj in California
I just didn't want to disappoint you, so here I am! And I still have the same opinion! The jury did a great job in finding Porter guilty as charged!
purrturk
To:tjj in California
Just so you know-I have never posted a comment in this paper before! But-it is an area close to my heart!
It wasn't just that he was a pastor that made people support him Doug is very charismatic for some people, to the point where he has an almost cult following.
You say that you were not really interested in the case because it didn't involve sexual abuse? So that's the only thing that gives you kicks?
You're sick.
I hate explaining myself to idiots but....
This blog is about clergy sexual abuse. I have thousands of readers who come here because of the clergy sexual abuse focus. I don't normally cover murders. it has nothing to do with "getting my kicks'.
Idiot.
I just want you all to know he still has support, he is still loved very much, and he will never be forgotten. He is doing fine. He is not in a low dark place. He has peace. He is doing the work the Lord has called him to do. I'm sure you hate to read this because you have hate in your heart for a man you have never met.... But it has got you no where. Howand Doug Porter is and will be OK.
But... he will still die in prison.
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