By John Agar
MLive
LEELANU COUNTY — Leelanau County Sheriff’s Department is alerting the public that a man convicted of second-degree murder in 1971 and first-degree sexual assault eight years later is being released from prison this week.
“We feel that his health is such that he’s not a threat to society right now,” Sheriff Mike Borkovich told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press on Wednesday, Nov. 6. But, he said, only Wayne Frank Porter knows that. “We do hope he’s reflected ... and changed his ways,” Borkovich said.
“Obviously, we’re going to keep a very close eye on him, whether it’s in Leelanau County or Traverse City. We’ll keep a short tether.”
Borkovich, who did not investigate either of the crimes, said Porter, 63, served two tours in Vietnam, where he was seriously injured by a grenade and landmine. He probably suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome without getting any help, the sheriff said.
“Obviously, he was not right in the head” after being injured, the sheriff said.
Borkovich said it hurts to see a veteran return from war and commit a vicious crime. He hopes and prays that Porter stays out of trouble. But his biggest concern is for the victims of the crimes, their families and the community. “What he did is inexcusable. There’s just no other way to say that.”
Full story: Sheriff alerts public: Northern Michigan killer, rapist leaving prison