PD: Man Assaulted Wife on Her Way to Church, Accused Her of Stealing Money

A city man is charged with attacking his wife while she dressed for Sunday church services, accused her of stealing money from him, and threatened her life, according to Middletown Police.

On Jan. 12 at about 3 p.m., police were called to the Middlesex Hospital emergency department to speak with a female who said at 9 a.m. she had awoken to dress for church and realized her husband, Franklin Porter, 50, of Loveland Street, was in a foul mood, according to the report, and didn't play the music she usually does to get ready.

Police say when the victim left the bathroom, Porter squeezed her by the throat for a few seconds, then punched her in the face, arms and back, then threw her to the ground, injuring her elbow. 

The report says she heard him smash a large glass container with cash inside, accused her of stealing money from him, then handed her a broom and told her to clean up the mess. 

He yelled at and insulted her, police say, then punched and kicked his wife again and then took a shower, all the while continuing to holler and reportedly said, "we aren't done yet, we have 10 more rounds to go."

The report says as the victim snuck out of the home while he showered, she heard Porter say, "when I get out of jail, I'm going to [expletive] kill you." 

He was charged with third-degree strangulation, disorderly conduct, third-degree assault, threatening and held on a $75,000 surety bond. 

The Connecticut Judicial website says Porter was convicted of disorderly conduct in 2007. In 2000, Porter was charged with robbery, threatening, attempted car jacking and possession of drug paraphernalia after reportedly trying to steal a woman's car while she was at a bank drive-through with her 9-year-old child, according to the Hartford Courant.