A Wednesday evening press release from the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office described Terry Porter as a “lifelong Atlanta humanitarian” who was “known for his altruistic work … on behalf of the elderly, the disabled and those less fortunate.”

It also announced that Ladarius Hardy — the man accused of shooting Porter in the back of the head in 2012 — would spend the rest of his life in prison.

Hardy, 23, avoided the possibilty of the death penalty by pleading guilty Monday to charges including murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault, the district attorney’s office said. He was given two life sentences plus 25 years.

Porter, 39, was found dead in the front yard of his southwest Atlanta home on Nov. 12, 2012, his Range Rover, cellphone and wallet stolen. There were no witnesses, but “various investigative tools” — including Porter’s phone records and credit card receipts — ultimately led police to Hardy, the district attorney’s office said.

Authorities believe Porter, who owned several businesses around the metro area, had met Hardy while trying “to assist [him] in securing housing and a job.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect there won't be enough employee parking at its headquarters on Clifton Road in Atlanta when all workers are required to return to work later this year. ALYSSA POINTER / ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

Featured

State Rep. Matt Reeves, R-Duluth, introduces himself while attending an AAPI mental health event at Norcross High School on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray