NEWS

Judge again denies bond for man accused of killing couple

Stephen Herzog
SHERZOG@NEWS-LEADER.COM
Mark Porter appears in court at a previous hearing. Porter was denied bond for a second time last week.

A man accused of killing a Springfield couple in their home earlier this year has been ordered, for the second time, to remain in jail without bond.

Mark Porter, 54, who is accused of killing Gary and Jan Tyrrell in their home following what police say was an attempt by Porter to get a $250,000 loan from the Tyrrells to cover gambling debts, has been in jail since Aug. 15.

Judge Dan Conklin on Friday denied Porter's request to have a bond set, siting Missouri's constitution, which says bail is guaranteed "except for capital offenses, when the proof is evident or the presumption great."

Conklin ruled he found the evidence presented at a Dec. 9 hearing was "sufficient to meet the constitutional exceptions."

Attorneys presented arguments at the hearing similar to those at an earlier bond hearing, when Judge Mark Powell also denied bond.

Porter's attorney, Dee Wampler, argued Porter has no prior criminal record, has been a respected member of the community, and strong family ties in the area. Wampler also submitted several letters vouching for Porter's character, including several from Assemblies of God officials.

Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Todd Myers argued the nature of the alleged crime, along with Porter's mostly secret gambling history, showed he cannot be trusted to be released. The Tyrrells' daughter, Jessica Tyrrell, and Gary's brother Larry Tyrrell, both gave statements asking Conklin to deny bond.

The Tyrrells' bodies were discovered in their Greenbrier Avenue home May 1. Police say Porter shot Gary Tyrrell twice and beat Jan Tyrrell with an engraved walrus tusk.

Police say Gary Tyrrell was shot once in the chest and once in the back. Stressing how brutal the crime scene was, police say Jan Tyrrell was beaten violently enough that her hair was pressed into her skull.

Wampler argued there's not enough evidence to show Porter killed the Tyrrells. He said the only evidence from the crime scene with Porter's DNA is a latex glove. Wampler said Tyrrell and Porter often used latex gloves to handle expensive coins, which Tyrrell traded.

Documents say Porter had "gambling issues" and had asked his longtime friend and co-worker Gary Tyrrell for a $250,000 loan shortly before the Tyrrells were found dead. Gary Tyrrell traded in valuable coins and had many high-end items in the home, according to police.

Timeline

January: Mark Porter requested a $250,000 loan from Gary Tyrrell but was rebuffed, police say.

April 30: Police believe this is the day Gary and Jan Tyrrell were killed in their home.

May 1: The Tyrrells' bodies are found in their home. Police say Gary was shot twice and hit over the head, and that Jan was bludgeoned to death.

May 2: Porter sold $18,531 in silver coins to R&K Coins, police say.

Later in May: Police interview Porter after they learn he was close with the Tyrrells. Porter says he was at the house a few days before the bodies were found but denies a police request for DNA.

For several weeks after: Police follow Porter from time to time, in an attempt to get DNA discretely. An officer ultimately finds a coffee cup Porter had left behind at a "quick lube" business.

Aug. 15: Prosecutors charge Porter with two counts of murder and police arrest him.

Sept. 22: R&K Coins files a lien on coins sold by Porter and seized by police as evidence.

Oct. 22: Porter's case is moved to trial court and he is ordered to be held in jail without bond.

Dec. 9: Attorneys argue about bond for Porter.

Dec. 19: Judge Dan Conklin denies bond.