September 5, 2007
Scotty Joe’s 2nd Killer to Plead Guilty
From the Alabama Press-Register:
Porter Plea would spare him the death penalty in brutal killing
BAY MINETTE [Alabama] — A second defendant will plead guilty to murder today — a week before he was slated for trial — in the slaying of Scotty Joe Weaver, the Bay Minette teenager who was killed partly because he was gay, court officials said.
Robert Holly Lofton Porter is set to be sentenced to two consecutive life sentences — on charges of murder and robbery — in front of Baldwin County Circuit Court Judge Lang Floyd.
. . .
Porter, 21, will be spared the death penalty in one of the most gruesome murders in Baldwin County’s recent history.
. . . Even though his sentences are back to back, Porter would be eligible for parole in 15 years, according to Campbell.
In May, Christopher Ryan Gaines, 23, pleaded guilty to capital murder in the 2004 slaying and also avoided capital punishment.
Prosecutors hinted Tuesday at a plea agreement with a third defendant, Nichole Bryars Kelsay, 21, who is awaiting trial.
In July 2004, Weaver was beaten, strangled, cut, burned and robbed of about $80. Prosecutors have alleged — and Gaines has since told a reporter — that he and Kelsay called upon Porter to help them kill Weaver. …
Filed under: Hate Crimes, United States
