Paris

Gary Porter, a homeless man, who police say slipped out of his handcuffs, stole two police vehicles and caused a dramatic shootout with police in Paris almost two weeks ago, was expected to make his first court appearance for the third time Friday. It was postponed yet again.The first time, he fell asleep. The second time, he wasn’t in the right mental state and now it turns out Porter wasn’t even at the Oxford County Jail in South Paris because it’s been closed for construction. Officials said Porter is being held in the York County Jail in Alfred. When it was time for him to appear for a video conference Friday, the judge postponed the hearing due to a lack of staffing.”It’s my understanding on the issue that York County Jail does not have any staff available to connect to the Zoom to provide Mr. Porter to us,” said Justice Sarah Churchill.The judge and Porter’s lawyer are going back and forth Friday.”Mr. Porter is in a sufficient condition for us to do the initial appearance today, as far as you know?” the judge asked.”Yes,” said Justin Leary, Porter’s attorney.Last Wednesday, a judge canceled a hearing for Porter because he wasn’t responsive and appeared to be asleep at times.Two days later, his lawyer claimed Porter is still in a catatonic state.On Friday, Leary said Porter was in sufficient condition to appear for his court hearing. Leary has also ordered a mental health evaluation.The judge also impounded the police affidavit, so we don’t know the exact details of what happened that day.Witnesses captured the shootout on Route 117 Paris. Porter is accused of over-powering the Paris police chief, driving off in the chief’s vehicle, crashing into a ditch, causing a shootout and hopping into another police vehicle and crashing it into a tree.Eleven officers fired at him. They are now on administrative lead pending an investigation through the Attorney General’s Office. Porter was treated for minor injuries and taken back to jail.An extended family member was in court Friday and told WMTW off-camera that Porter needs help and that maybe he’ll get it behind bars.”We’re grateful for law enforcement being able to apprehend him without injuring or killing him. We hope that the arrest is a reformative experience for him,” said James Libby.For the fourth time, Porter’s first court appearance has been rescheduled for Monday, May 20, at 1 p.m.