Font Size

Sacramento Area Local News

E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Pastor On Trial Prayed Rancher Would Survive

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

Recipient E-mail:*
- Your Name:*
- Your E-mail:*
Add a Message:
Send me a copy of this e-mail.

Type the characters in this picture:*

Click here to refresh with new letters

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

Print Share + Comments

Jul 22, 2008 1:14 pm US/Pacific

Pastor On Trial Prayed Rancher Would Survive

MODESTO (AP) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: CBS

Close

numSlides of totalImages

A Hickman pastor says he prayed an elderly rancher would survive a wreck that he walked away from unscathed.

   Fifty-seven-year-old Howard Douglas Porter is testifying this week in Stanislaus County Superior Court, where he is on trial for murder and embezzlement in the death of 85-year-old Frank Craig.

   Prosecutors say Porter staged two car wrecks to cover the fact that he stole $1.1 million from Craig. The first crash left Craig crippled, and the second -- two years later -- killed the man.

   Porter has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

   The pastor testified Monday that he borrowed money from Craig to build housing for his family but the rancher forgave the debt. He also testified that he used CPR to try to revive Craig after the second wreck.