On March 28, 2017, 69-year-old John Porter, a white male, was fatally shot during a home invasion at his residence on Cool Spring Drive in Fort Worth, Texas. His wife, Diane Porter, also 69, sustained injuries in the incident but survived. The assailant stole the couple's vehicle, which was later found near the home of James Earnest Floyd Jr., a 50-year-old black male, in Terrell, Texas. Floyd was identified as a person of interest shortly after the robbery and shooting.
According to the arrest warrant, Floyd had been in the neighborhood that day visiting a man he'd met online and with whom he was having a sexual relationship. Following the incident, Floyd was arrested in Dallas on an unrelated kidnapping charge and parole violation. Subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued for Floyd for the murder of John Porter.
In March 2020, jury selection for Floyd's capital murder trial began and lasted about two months. However, the trial was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2020, a mistrial was declared after it was determined that only 10 jurors were available to proceed. Prosecutors announced plans to retry the case, with the death penalty being sought.
As of the latest available information, James Earnest Floyd Jr. remains in custody, awaiting retrial for the capital murder of John Porter. Diane Porter continues to recover from her injuries sustained during the home invasion.
