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Jul 22, 2008 1:14 pm US/Pacific

Pastor On Trial Prayed Rancher Would Survive

MODESTO (AP) ― 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.

(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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