U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that this afternoon, a jury returned a guilty verdict against WALTER PORTER, a/k/a “Moonie,” a/k/a “Urkel,” for his participation in the November 2010 murder of Christopher “Tiger” Smith.
The jury found PORTER, age 40, of New Orleans, guilty as charged for use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, causing death through the use of a firearm, and conspiracy to possess firearms.
According to court documents, on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 8:10 pm, Christopher Smith was found by Jefferson Parish Sheriff (“JPSO”) deputies lying in the doorway of his Gretna apartment, after having been shot at least twenty times. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. JPSO’s investigation ultimately revealed that NEMESSIS BATES paid co-defendants, PORTER and AARON SMITH, a/k/a “Beadie,” a/k/a “Beedie,” $20,000 to murder Christopher Smith. AARON SMITH previously pled guilty and awaits sentencing. BATES was sentenced to life in prison.
“Today’s jury verdict ensures that Walter Porter, one of the city’s most lethal hit men, will spend the rest of his life behind bars,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite.
U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing on June 29, 2016. PORTER faces a mandatory penalty of life imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Liz Privitera and Greg Kennedy were in charge of the prosecution.