NY - Christopher Porco - Another Menandez situation? - sentenced

[Sudzi]

**

Do we really know what evidence they have? You say the evidence points very strongly towards him? Do you know what evidence they have?

I'm still on the fence as to Christophers guilt, but it seems they are spending a lot of time trying to gather new information, leading me to believe they don't have much old information.

 

[SheerLuck]

You have made some very valid points. However, I think that what is unsettling is the fact that the grand jury on this case began convening months ago. Doesn't law enforcement have to be in possession of evidence to present to the grand jury, in order for the jury to convene? The grand jury for the Peterson case was not convening while Scott was still walking around as a "person of interest" was it? I think that the fact that the grand jury seems to be crawling at a snail's pace does cast doubt or uncertainty on the strength of law enforcement's case against Chris. I reiterate that I have no idea whether he is guilty or not.

Well, I'm new to the site and a bit slow with tech stuff so I hope what I'm trying to do works, which is to reply to jannuncutt's post. You might be right that the snail's pace could relate to the strength of the case being weak, but my gut feeling is that the case is strong, but that the prosecutors want a slam dunk, with no shot of blowing the case. Chris Porco has already hired one of Albanys finest attorneys and moving fast against a great attorney, is the best way to blow a case. Kindlon might have wanted a fast arrest, knowing his client is shaky and more evidence from his clients friends might come out in due time. Remember, it was only after Kindlon was hired, the prosecutors started saying that the case will require patience. No surprise. Kindlon worries prosecutors because he's an excellent defense attorney and very convincing to juries. If they've got strong evidence it won't disappear, but combining it with more evidence or a slip up by the guilty party, can bring a slam dunk. That was my Peterson analogy. They watched Peterson and gathered evidence and made it obvious to Peterson that he was their only suspect. Sure enough, time ate away at Peterson and he made a run for it and got arrested with a disguise, $5,000 cash; near the Mexican border. Peterson had a power house attorney, but still lost because of the strong circumstantial evidence; combined with the odd arrest, which no one could explain. Lets hope the evidence is strong--I suspect it is--I'll write less next time

 

[SheerLuck]

**

Do we really know what evidence they have? You say the evidence points very strongly towards him? Do you know what evidence they have?

I'm still on the fence as to Christophers guilt, but it seems they are spending a lot of time trying to gather new information, leading me to believe they don't have much old information.

Hi Sudzi: I only know what I've read in the newspapers or heard on the news shows, but to me, it does look strong. To break it down there's tons to look at, but it starts with the timeline. Thats all I'll mention in this post. For any case, there's got to be a time line that works--this one has it. Driving 70-75 mph from Rochester to Delmar and back to Rochester is about 6 hours total time. As Kindlon told the Albany Times Union in early December, Porco was last seen a bit before 1:00 a.m. in Rochester by friends and then seen on campus video at 8:00 a.m., so we've got a 7 hour time lapse; enough time to drive 6 hours and commit the crime. Kindlon says Porco moved a car with a friend around 11:30 p.m that night and that he went to sleep after watching tv with friends a bit before 1:00 a.m., but Kindlon doesn't say that any of Chris's frat brothers can confirm he went to sleep in the frat house. Now if his frat brothers confirmed they were sure he slept there; wouldn't Kindlon have mentioned this also? And remember they were the first to testify and some of the jury members were seen leaving the court room in tears; after his roomates testified. What was said? We don't know, but that's how the case started. Now look at just a few from the list of people who testified; in regard to the timeline--frat brothers/roomates, highway toll booth operator and the neighbor who saw the jeep in the driveway at 4:00 a.m; plus newspaper speculation; regarding toll booth ez pass records and credit card records related to a gas purchase that morning. This is just the start

 

[Sudzi]

Good Morning Sheerluck
I agree that what we know about points towards Christopher, and he more likely than not is guilty.
I still am of the opinion that whatever it is they do have- it's not enough or there would have been an indictment by now.

You and Januncutt are there to get the "local feel" where I'm a little removed from that, (former Albany area resident now living just north of noplace in Vermont now) I think you get a fuller picture of how this case is progressing.

From where I sit, it seems LE are searching for something more solid than they have now.

 

[jannuncutt]

SheerLuck,

You say that there is a 7 hour time lapse. What about the neighbor who claims to have seen Chris' yellow jeep in his parents driveway at 4:00 a.m.?

 

[LovelyPigeon]

If the story of the neighbor seeing the jeep is confirmed (neighbor might not be able to positively say which day jeep was seen) and the toll booth charges show Chris traveling when he said he was not, doesn't it seem as if the police would have a case tight enough to file charges?

 

[Sudzi]

I guess his Jeep could have been in the driveway at 4 and still given him enough time to get back to campus by 8 when he's shown on campus video.

I wonder about any physical evidence, I'm sure you can't murder two people with a firemans axe and not be covered with blood.
I can't see him raceing up the thruway speeding back to campus covered in gore.
If they had any blood evidence from his jeep they would have him locked up by now.
I'm sure they checked his dorm room shower drains etc.
It's hard to commit a bloody crime in this day and age without leaving something they can use to link you to it.

 

[jannuncutt]

The point is that we don't know what has been confirmed and what hasn't. All of the so-called fact's can not be true when you put them together.

 

[Sudzi]

Jannuncutt~ Do you know if the GJ is meeting tomorrow on Porco?

 

[jannuncutt]

Sudzi,

It was said that the grand jury did not meet last Friday because of President's Day....(even though that was celebrated on a Monday) I am under the impression that they are supposed to convene tomorrow. However, I have not heard or seen anything about it, yet. I will try to keep you up-to-date.

 

[Sudzi]

The plot thickens.....

Albany Times Union
BETHLEHEM -- The hunt for the killer of a law clerk from Bethlehem, whose wife was badly injured in the November attack, is expanding beyond the couple's youngest son as detectives explore leads on people who may have been enemies of Peter Porco.



Patrick De Lucia, a 51-year-old Maryland resident who used to live in Troy, said Bethlehem police recently contacted him and left telephone messages threatening to arrest him if he doesn't answer their questions. De Lucia said he knew Porco but had nothing to do with his murder.

De Lucia said he met Porco more than 10 years ago when Porco served as a law guardian for De Lucia's two daughters during a child custody dispute. De Lucia said he felt Porco did a poor job and harmed his daughters by allowing them to move to Florida with his ex-wife and her new husband.

But there was more to De Lucia's frustration. He was also later convicted in Albany City Court of threatening Porco's former boss, Anthony V. Cardona, who at the time was the Family Court judge presiding over his custody case. Cardona is the presiding justice of the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court and Porco was still working for Cardona at the time of his death. "We had many difficulties," De Lucia said of Porco. "He did not protect my kids."

Much more in the article http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=336501&category=ALBANY&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=2/25/2005


From the outset, authorities have steadfastly been building a case against Christopher Porco, 21, but the widening of the investigation could be an indication that authorities now are not comfortable with focusing on him. However, the work also could be an effort by authorities to show -- at trial -- that they explored all leads in a murder case that has apparently yielded only circumstantial evidence against Christopher Porco. Two weeks ago, prosecutors met with Bethlehem's police chief and town supervisor to discuss the investigation. Law enforcement officials familiar with the case said prosecutors also suggested that State Police take a more active role because the 40-member town police force, which has led the investigation, was not running down leads quickly enough.

Sounds like they don't have near enough to nail Christopher, and the Prosecutors office was asking for more SP involvement, not just Kindlon.

 

[jannuncutt]

Sudzi,

Great update, thanks!

Go to: Bethlehem Official Calls for Arrest in Porco Case @ http://www.wten.com

 

[Sudzi]

A spokesman for District Attorney David Soares said, "Murder cases can be complex investigations, it's only been 90 to 100 days and this is complex."

I guess it's not long for a murder investigation, but I can see the point of Delmar residents. To them it's been 90 to 100 days of wondering.
I agree with one point, if there is enough evidence to point directly at Christopher then act on it.
If not, get busy on other leads.

 

[SheerLuck]

Good Morning Sheerluck
I agree that what we know about points towards Christopher, and he more likely than not is guilty.
I still am of the opinion that whatever it is they do have- it's not enough or there would have been an indictment by now.

You and Januncutt are there to get the "local feel" where I'm a little removed from that, (former Albany area resident now living just north of noplace in Vermont now) I think you get a fuller picture of how this case is progressing.

From where I sit, it seems LE are searching for something more solid than they have now.

Sudzi: You brought up an interesting point; in regard to the "local feel". While I live in Albany, I work in Delmar at a job where I meet lots of people from Delmar and I also socialize in a few weekly activities in Delmar, with a mix of both young and old. The general feeling among practically everyone I've talked to, is that there is nothing to worry about, because most everyone seems to be pretty sure, that Chris Porco committed the crime. Either way, most I talked to in the community, feel that the guilty party will not be a harm to anyone else because it appears this murder was not a robbery, or a psychopath looking to hunt down more people, but simply a personal vendetta.

 

[SheerLuck]

SheerLuck,

You say that there is a 7 hour time lapse. What about the neighbor who claims to have seen Chris' yellow jeep in his parents driveway at 4:00 a.m.?

Jannuncutt: the neighbor seeing the jeep at around 4:00 a.m. fits the timeline perfectly. The 7 hour timeline is from a bit before 1:00 a.m. in the morning, up until 8:00 a.m. in the morning. At 8:00 a.m. is when Chris Porco is seen jogging on the campus at Rochester by a campus security camera. So if Porcos roommates go to sleep a bit before 1:00 a.m. and Porco snaps and doesn't go to sleep but instead jumps in his jeeps and drives 75-85 mph to his home in Delmar, he'd arrive at his home a bit before 4:00 a.m. If he goes 85, it'd be closer to 3:30 a.m.. If the crime takes 15-30 minutes he then leaves his house in Delmar at say around 4:30 a.m. and he'd be back on campus at 7:30 a.m. I'm not saying Chris Porco is guilty,although my gut feeling is that he is guilty and the 7 hour timeline fits perfectly.

 

[SheerLuck]

I guess his Jeep could have been in the driveway at 4 and still given him enough time to get back to campus by 8 when he's shown on campus video.

I wonder about any physical evidence, I'm sure you can't murder two people with a firemans axe and not be covered with blood.
I can't see him raceing up the thruway speeding back to campus covered in gore.
If they had any blood evidence from his jeep they would have him locked up by now.
I'm sure they checked his dorm room shower drains etc.
It's hard to commit a bloody crime in this day and age without leaving something they can use to link you to it.

Sudzi: Good point there should be blood all over the jeep; unless the guilty party had planned this murder a bit in advance; or had a few hours to plan it before committing the crime. Then you can reduce or eliminate any blood trail from the house to the auto. But you know there might have been blood evidence or other evidence from the jeep because remember that when the police gave Porco his jeep back, they had removed parts of the jeep; such as his front seats and the seatbelts. Kindlon told us so. We have no way of knowing if there was evidence on those parts, but the parts removed might be added evidence--why else remove them? Oh and Lovely Pidgeon wrote:

If the story of the neighbor seeing the jeep is confirmed (neighbor might not be able to positively say which day jeep was seen) and the toll booth charges show Chris traveling when he said he was not, doesn't it seem as if the police would have a case tight enough to file charges?

Good points and yes it might be a very strong case, but in time, there might be a few key people that haven't said all they know, but might have a change of heart, especially Porcos girlfriend. She's young(college girl), so this has to be very tough on her--in time she might have more to add. It's better in a circumstantial case to file charges AFTER every possible bit of evidence is found. Oh and Sudzi, I doubt that LE thinks this guy in Maryland is guilty. I mean drive up from Maryland and grab an axe from the victims garage? Wouldn't it make more sense to use a gun, in a pre-planned murder, that had created anger for 10+ years? Also the security system dismantled, but no forced entry? Sudzi, you could be right that the case is not as strong as I think it is, but my gut feeling on the 51 year old Maryland guy, is that this is simply part of a very smart game being played by LE--I'll leave it at that

 

[Sudzi]

I totally agree about the Maryland guy Sheerluck, it seems they are grasping at straws with him. If he was coming from Maryland after 10 years for revenge he would have brought a weapon, not waited till he got here to see what was laying around to use.

In regards to Christophers Jeep, granted they returned it to him with some missing pieces, (and a GPS attached) but there could be other reasons for that.

For example when LE took the Jeep they were sure Christopher did it, and may have removed peices of carpet, seat belts or whatever had a smudge or spot on it for testing. It's also a good ploy in LE's game, keeping Christopher on edge, thinking they got something from his Jeep.

Even if he planned well, he still only had 7 hours to make a 6 hour drive and do the crime, not leaving a lot of time for the kind of clean up he would require. Even if he did it buck naked, he would have had to clean up someplace... and do it fast.

I would think, if LE had toll records, testimony of Frat Bro's, neighbors, toll collectors, gas tank weights,AND blood evidence from the Jeep they would have plenty to act on and arrest Christopher.

I'm still not convinced he didn't do it, but I'm more and more convinced they can't prove he did.

 

[SheerLuck]

I would think, if LE had toll records, testimony of Frat Bro's, neighbors, toll collectors, gas tank weights,AND blood evidence from the Jeep they would have plenty to act on and arrest Christopher.

I'm still not convinced he didn't do it, but I'm more and more convinced they can't prove he did.

Sudzi: I think the evidence is strong, but you could be right and maybe it's only fairly strong at this point, but remember that in a circumstantial case, even if you don't have slam dunk evidence; like a confession; you still don't have to prove the crime. But what you do need to do, is to show very strong circumstantial evidence and combine it with as many credible witnesses as possible. Building a slam dunk case can take many months. This 'll sound odd, but even if blood is found in the jeep, you dont always make the arrest because a good defense attorney might argue that the jeep was stolen; or the blood was planted by the cops. If the jury buys it and your other evidence is shaky; then you lose and a murderer walks. Remember, Nicole Simpson's blood was found in OJ's Bronco. Johnny Cochrane said the police planted it and the jury bought it. Notice how critical Kindlon has been of the police so far. Thats what defense attorneys do. So prosectors need to patiently wait for every possible drop of evidence to surface before making the arrest. Let's hope some new evidence surfaces and this gets moving this week

 

[jannuncutt]

If the police have strong evidence against Chris, why did they harrass the parents of the man from Maryland and, why did they intimidate/threaten him on his answering machine? Did you hear the message? It was down right nasty..............and could be perceived by many as a desperate attempt.

 

[Sudzi]

I'm with you on that Jannuncutt, I can understand LE wanting to give Christopher the impression that they have something on him. I can see why they would use the GPS information to tell his girl he was visiting another woman, (just in case she was holding anything back~that could have pushed her to tell them) I agree they should use all the tools at hand to try and find out who's responsible for this crime.

But if they had evidence on Christopher, especially blood evidence from his Jeep then why would they get the Maryland guy thing going, including that call to his parents.

I agree is seems a desperate attempt, and your right, it was a nasty phone message.
I don't think they have much to go on except circumstance and un-comfirmable hearsay.