SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND)- Ronald D. Porter was sentenced to 130 years in prison on Wednesday, for the murder and sexual assault of a Springfield woman, arson, and ten other charges.
Porter plead guilty to a total of 13 counts back in July. Counts included first-degree murder, aggravated stalking, aggravated criminal sexual assault, residential arson, concealing a homicidal death, home invasion, armed robbery, obstruction of justice, aggravated cruelty to an animal, unlawful use of a credit card and stalking of a minor.
According to our news partners at WAMD TV Porter had entered the home of 24-year-old Abby Neisler, located in the 700 block of S. State St., when she was gone during the late hours of Jan. 10 into Jan. 11, 2020, and sexually assaulted her when she came back. He had restrained her and stabbed her several times, then set the bedroom on fire to conceal evidence. Neisler’s companion dog, Pepper, was also killed.
Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright states “Abby Neisler will always be remembered for the way she lived. Her father provided an incredibly impactful description of the light she was in the lives of all who knew her. Thanks to the diligence of the Springfield Police Department, what could have been a cold case was developed into an investigation that resulted in the defendant’s plea of guilty to all charges and a sentence that ensures he will likely die in prison.”
According to investigators Porter and his wife, Whitney M. Porter already had prior charges of residential arson, arson, insurance fraud and obstructing justice for allegedly setting their joint apartment on fire in October 2019 in an attempt to collect more than $10,000 from a fraudulent insurance claim.
Ronald Porter was also accused of entering the residence of a different woman while masked in October 2019 and trying to sexually assault her.
Porters charges in total sentence him to 130 consecutive years in prison, a breakdown of his charges are as followed:
Count – Time Sentenced
1st degree murder – 55 years at 100%
Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault – 30 at 85%
Home Invasion – 15 at 85%
Armed Robbery – 15 at 85%
Residential Arson – 10 at 50%
Concealment of Homicidal Death – 5 at 50%
Porter was also charged with the following concurrent counts:
Aggravated Stalking – 5 at 50%
Stalking – 3 at 50%
Aggravated Cruelty to Animal – 3 at 50%
Obstructing Justice – 3 at 50%
Unlawful Use of Credit Card – 3 at 50%
