A series of e-mails exchanged between a father and son over an 11-month period from January to November 2004 are at the heart of the prosecution’s evidence in the murder trial of Christopher Porco.
Fifty-two computer correspondences between Peter Porco and Christopher Porco that Chief Prosecutor Michael McDermott to the jury, reveal a father who shows patience and devotion even as he begins to realize his son is lying about his financial and academic affairs.
The first correspondence tells Christopher Porco that his mother will pick him up at the University of Rochester and take him back home because he has been separated from the school because his grade point average is 1.14.
`Mom will be arriving with the van on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004, to pack you up and bring you home. Please call as soon as possible, Dad.`
The next correspondence from March 2004 is from Christopher Porco entitled `Failing Grades, you did it again,` in response to his father’s query that his son is failing in school again, this time at Hudson Valley Community College.
`Hi, I’m in London and have been touring around with Sarah a bit,` wrote Porco. `I don’t know why my grades would say that and I assure you I didn’t do it again.`
`One reason it may say that is when I registered, my teachers initially had no record of me in their classes,` Porco wrote.
In September, an e-mail from Peter to Christopher Porco asked why Christopher has yet to pay the IRS a refund check of $337.88.
`Obviously whatever steps you though you took to iron out this matter haven’t satisfied the I.R.S.,` wrote Peter.
A few weeks later, Peter Porco found out that car loan payments on the yellow Jeep Wrangler Christopher Porco drove were delinquent.
`Chris, we received mail on the weekend indicating your car loan payment was overdue and you had five days to pay it before they begin collection activities. You need to take immediate action on this, Dad.`
Christopher wrote back he is waiting for a new credit card to come through. In October 2004, Christopher Porco told his father he needed documents so he can borrow $2,000. In reality, Porco is borrowing $31,000 at a high interest rate and forging his father’s name as a co-signer to the electronic document from his university computer.
`Hey dad, I just talked to the Citibank people and they won’t give me the loan without a co-signer. I know you don’t want your credit tied up in a co-sign but hear me out. With you and mom’s current income level an education loan for $2,000 won’t even show up. I will call you guys tonight to talk it over, love Chris.`
Peter wrote back that he would rather advance his son $2,000 than co-sign a loan, but he would need some time to accumulate the cash. Also in October, Peter Porco pays the IRS $340.98 because he does not want his son to receive a tax levy. He also writes:
`I trust you will bring your car loan up to date. It distresses me that you have accumulated so much debt. I don’t see how you can possibly make payments.`
Christopher Porco’s finances continued to spin out of control so much that his father sends five e-mails in one day asking Christopher why several issues have yet to be addressed, including a fee for a late inspection ticket to Saratoga Springs City Court, unpaid car loans and other financial issues.
`Hey guys,` writes Christopher Porco. `I get back to my room (e-mail written at 5:30 a.m.) after studying for a test all night and I get like five e-mails from you, all dated the same time. As far as I know I am paid up on my car loan. I will give you a call tomorrow, thank you for keeping after me, love Chris.`
On Nov. 4, 11 days prior to Peter Porco’s murder, he writes to his son to reveal he is now aware the $2,000 loan Christopher is applying for is in reality a $31,000 loan and his name has been forged as co-signer.
`I did not authorize credit on a $31,000 loan,` wrote Peter Porco. `I have not even signed a loan instrument. Did you forge my signature as a co-signer? What the hell are you doing?`
Peter Porco then calls and writes both Citibank and the University of Rochester to stop payments on the loan, and on Christopher’s school tuition.
`You have a lot of explaining to do,` wrote Peter Porco. `It’s time to stop the b.s. and call me at the office right away, Dad.`
Christopher wrote back the same day saying `the school and Citibank talked to each other to figure out how much the school will be getting. The final loan amount will be $2,000, the amount was given a ceiling of $31,000 but not all of that will be used. I haven’t signed anything yet either, I assume we both sign when the loan amount is figured out. Chris.`
The next day Peter Porco learned that his son forged his name on a car loan as well. His response:
`I want you to know that if you abuse my credit again, I will be forced to file forgery affidavits in order to disclaim liability. Things are obviously spinning out of control with you. I think you should come home so we can talk. We may be disappointed in you, but your mother and I still love you and care about your future. We can’t help you problem solve without information and input from you, Dad.`
Christopher Porco then stopped communicating with his father. There were no phone calls, no e-mails; just one final e-mail on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 1:14 a.m.
`I am very sorry for not communicating with you recently,` wrote Porco.
He wrote in the e-mail, `I feel like for the first time in my life I really have a handle on school work. I cannot apologize enough for the st you have been through in the past couple weeks. My intentions were exactly the opposite. Thank you so much for everything, and again I am so very sorry for all you have been through. I love you guys, love, Chris.`
It is the last known correspondence between Christopher and his father before the crimes on Brockley Drive.
About 50 witnesses for the prosecution have been called so far. Another 30 to 35 will be called over the next several days before the defense begins to call their witnesses. Summations are not expected for at least another two to three weeks.