GUILTY MO - Gary, 60, & Jan Tyrrell, 61, murdered, Springfield, 30 April 2014

According to the linked article, Porter had retired after his career as a superintendant. His pension was likely pretty good, so how did he end up being $250,000 in debt? Wonder if he had a gambling problem? It would explain why Tyrrell didn't want to loan him any money.

Glad they caught him, such a tragedy.
 
http://www.news-leader.com/story/ne...-disbelief-ex-supers-murder-charges/14260519/

They became friends working side-by-side as Mountain Grove school district's No. 1 and No. 2 executives. They kept in touch and stayed close, both teaching classes at William Woods University in the past year...

As news of Mark Edward Porter's arrest in the killings of Gary and Jan Tyrrell circulated in recent days, school officials who worked with both men are expressing deep sadness and shock.
 
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/searc...-in-mark-porter-murder-case/21048998_27794448

New court documents released Friday, including search warrants, show more evidence that investigators said links Mark Porter to the murders of Gary and Jan Tyrrell of Springfield.

Police said Gary Tyrrell was shot, and Jan Tyrrell died due to blunt force trauma to the head. Beside her body, investigators said they found several pieces of a substance, later determined to be part of a valuable walrus tusk. Also beside the victim's body was a latex glove. DNA present on the glove did not match that of the victims, however it was later determined to match the DNA of suspect Mark Porter.
 
Wow! Just saw this! I think the Dermond's killer/s may very well be someone they knew well like the Tyrrells.
A superintendent, unbelievable! If you look at Porter's superintendent picture next to his mugshot, he looks like two totally different people. Scary!!

http://stonecountychronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Mark-Porter-Linked-In-fixed.png

http://stonecountychronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Mark-Porter-mug-shot.jpg

Agree. I would've never recognized him as the same man. For as much money he was seeking, and going from such a well-educated man to murderer, I can't help but wonder if drugs were involved.
 
Mr. Porter it seems did have a gambling habit and was about to loose his home. From the same person that I got my information from, Gary and Jan helped him out before and either didn't get their money back or were upset that he was in the same situation again. Not sure if this has been posted but here is a PDF of what the Prosecuting Attorney filed https://www.greenecountymo.org/pa/file/08-15-14.pdf
 
http://www.ky3.com/news/local/porter-pleads-not-guilty-to-tyrrell-murders/21048998_29457450

An accused killer pleaded not guilty in Greene County Circuit Court Friday morning. Mark Porter, 53, is charged with two counts of 1st degree murder for the deaths of Gary and Jan Tyrrell at their Southeast Springfield home in May.

In a court appearance last week, prosecutors shared documents pertaining to Porter’s finances, showing he was about $320,000 in debt and a letter showing he had requested to borrow money from the Tyrrells. Prosecutors claim Porter’s wife didn’t know about the debt.

A detective testified at that time that evidence in the case shows Porter had lost about $40,000 at Hollywood Casino in St. Louis, was involved in online gambling, and had recently sold a motorcycle and turned in a Lexus he was leasing.
 
http://www.news-leader.com/story/ne...-records-man-accused-killing-couple/21486703/

Police recently obtained six search warrants to look through the financial and email records of a man accused of killing a Springfield couple in their home in April...

The warrants say a January 2014 letter was found on Mark Porter's computer written to Gary Tyrrell asking for help with approximately $200,000 worth of debt. The letter indicates Porter's plan to repay Tyrrell if Tyrrell agrees to assist him with an "under the table" loan, according to the warrants...

The warrants say police obtained tax information which indicated Mark and Paula Porter had an adjusted gross income of $293,147 in 2013 and that their bills amounted to less than $50,000 a year. The warrants say, however, that during the investigation police also learned that Mark Porter was involved in gambling.
 
From August:

http://www.news-leader.com/story/ne...ds-guilty-murder-springfield-couple/32425165/

Mark E. Porter, 54, pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing Gary and Jan Tyrrell in their Springfield home in 2014.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and agreed to two consecutive life sentences...

The judge added that he would not, if asked by parole officials, say Porter is a good candidate to be released once he’s served the minimum term of his sentence. Because of his age, Porter would be eligible for release at age 82.
 

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