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Firth woman accused of killing husband |
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Wednesday, 23 July 2008 |
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By Richard Toynton BLACKFOOT — A Firth woman accused of killing her husband with a modified .22-caliber rifle Monday appeared in court for the first time Tuesday afternoon.
 Morning News - Richard Toynton
Dorthy Jean Porter is escorted into the courtroom during her arraignment Tuesday.
Dorthy Jean Porter, 52, was arrested and charged with murder in the first degree and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony some time after police initially responded to a report of a suicide at about 11:52 p.m. Monday.
Police found Greg Porter, 45, dead at 752 E 600 N, outside of Firth, and became suspicious when the information they were being provided did not appear to match the physical evidence that deputies saw at the home, a police news release said.
The initial call to police was made from Dorthy Porter’s neighbor who said he received a call from Dorthy Porter, asking him to call police to report the alleged suicide.
During her arraignment, Prosecutor Scott Andrew said he would not seek the death penalty for Dorthy Porter because the facts presented to him up until the time of arraignment showed there were no specific aggravating circumstances that would warrant such a penalty.
“If there is evidence that would support aggravating circumstances, I will notify you,” Andrew said to Judge Ryan Boyer.
If convicted of murder in the first degree, Dorthy Porter will face life in prison and a $50,000 fine in addition to 15 years extra in prison for using a firearm.
Boyer agreed to Andrew’s request for Dorthy Porter’s bail amount to be set at an amount of at least $500,000. Andrew said the bail amount was necessary because of the gravity of the offense and because, although she has lived near Firth for a long time, she represents a flight risk from the area. She is currently incarcerated in the Bingham County Jail.
Andrew said the weapon listed in the formal complaint against Dorthy Porter in the alleged crime was a modified Ruger 1022 .22-caliber rifle and that it was difficult to tell whether the weapon should be called a rifle or a handgun.
He said the complaint also showed that it appeared Greg Porter was shot in the head with the weapon, subsequently dying from his wound.
A police news release said Monday night was the first time the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office received any type of call at this address or involving these two individuals.
Dorthy Porter is not allowed to possess a firearm after being convicted of felony manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance while children are present in 1993, Andrew said.
Attorney Cindy Campbell was appointed Dorthy Porter’s court-appointed defender, and the defendant is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. on July 31 in the Bingham County Courthouse.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 July 2008 )
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