Victim's Family Relieved as Parole Board Defers Release of Porter

The Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision has deferred the release of inmate Sidney Dean Porter, convicted of aggravated murder in the 1992 beating death of John Day police officer Frank Ward.  Porter's new projected release date is in June 2015. The Oregon Crime Victims Law Center represented Ben Ward, the brother of Frank Ward, at the Parole Board hearing held on September 30, 2013.

According to the Board of Parole, Porter "failed to demonstrate a full understanding of his criminal offense." During the hearing, Porter's version of the events of the evening of April 8, 1992 differed substantially from witness accounts and investigative reports.The Board found that Porter "minimized his actions" in describing the murder of Officer Ward, and that he "understated his history of domestic violence." 

"I'm just glad the whole truth came out. The Board heard what really happened that night," said Ben Ward.

Rosemary Brewer, legal director of OCVLC, submitted a memo in opposition to Porter's release on behalf of Ben Ward, who spoke at the hearing. Grant County District Attorney Ryan Joslin also argued against Porter's release. 

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