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 Porters finances, showing he was about $320,000 in debt and a letter showing he had requested to borrow money from the Tyrrells. Prosecutors claim Porters wife didnt 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.