Richard Thomas Porter was born November 10, 1964 to Velma Porter in Harlem, New York City. Richard was the oldest of three children, including sister Patricia and brother Donnell (William). The family lived in the historic Sugar Hill section located on the west side of Harlem. Rich, as he was more commonly known, earned income at the age of 9 bagging groceries at a local supermarket and selling newspapers. At 12 years old he began selling marijuana joints for $1 each. Porter also routinely produced a substance containing nothing more than eggs and sage that he marketed as illegal hash. He purchased his first car, a BMW, at the age of 16. Eventually, Porter began distributing powder cocaine that he branded with the name "Much Better" from his base on the corner of 145th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. He later partnered with another local drug dealer known as "LA" and the two relocated their operation to 144th Street. Porter's only criminal convictions were in 1984. Following a shootout, he was convicted of possession of a deadly weapon in April and in November for possession of a controlled substance. After serving a one year sentence and following the death of LA, Porter formed a partnership with boyhood friend and coke dealer Azie Faison and his associate Alberto "Alpo" Martinez. According to police Porter sold upwards of $50,000 worth of crack cocaine a week and 5 kilos a day at his peak and owned approximately 40 cars throughout his criminal career.
Following a robbery attempt in 1987 in which he was shot nine times, Faison retired from drug trafficking and left the partnership with Porter and Martinez. According to local residents, Porter and Martinez were the first owners of convertible BMWs in Harlem. Locals also credit the two with originating the trend of reclining far back in the seat while driving. The duo once purchased a pair of Porsche 944 Turbos (a burgundy one for Porter and silver for Martinez) from a car dealership with $75,000 cash in a paper bag. Beginning in his teens, Porter gained local fame in his native Harlem because of his flashy style
and was known for owning custom made designer clothing, gold jewelry and
luxury cars outfitted with car phones (which sold for $1399 at Radio Shack in 1987). According to locals, Porter never wore the same outfit twice during his criminal career. He was also an acquaintance of rap superstar James Todd "LL Cool J" Smith, who referenced his association with Porter on his 2004 song, "The Truth". Porter was targeted for extortion in 1989 when his younger brother Donnell was abducted while on his way to his school, P.S. 92, on December 5. The kidnappers demanded $500,000 ransom for 12-year-old Donnell's safe return by telephone. When Porter insisted that he didn't have the half million dollars the kidnappers lowered the ransom to $350,000. On Dec. 6 the abductors directed the family to a nearby McDonald's restaurant located at West 125th Street and Broadway, where they found a coffee cup containing Donnell's index finger, two of his rings and an audio cassette in the men's bathroom. According to police, the cassette tape contained a recording of Donnell pleading to his older brother Rich to pay the ransom, stating, "They cutted my finger off...Please help me...Get the money. I love you, Mommy." Porter's sister Pat contacted the FBI against his wishes and was directed to the NYPD, who placed taps on the family's phone lines. On Dec. 10, a local boy delivered a note to the family's West 132nd Street apartment in Harlem given to him by an unknown woman stating that Donnell was badly in need of medical attention.
Rich Porter, his cousin Peanut and his little
brother Donnell (standing)
Rich Porter was murdered a little less than a month later on Janurary 3, 1990 in his native Harlem. He suffered several gunshots to the head and chest and was found in the bushes in Orchard Beach Park with $2,239 in cash in his pockets. He was last seen driving his 1989 black Nissan coupe. Alpo Martinez was later charged and convicted for the killing and confessed to shooting Porter to death in Harlem with an accomplice and later carrying the body to City Island in the Bronx where it was found at 12:50 am the next morning. Martinez told police that the murder was the result of a business dispute between the two. Martinez alleged that Porter had routinely overcharged him from $3,000-$5,000 per kilo of cocaine that he supplied him. Porter was buried by his family January 10, 1990.
Twelve days later on January 16, Porter's business associate Stanley Harvey was found shot to death on the fifth floor of an abandoned building on West 132nd Street in Harlem. On January 28, Donnell Porter's body was found in City Island less than a mile from where Rich's body was discovered. The corpse was found inside 14 black plastic garbage bags. His uncle, Velma Porter's brother, was eventually revealed to be Donnell's kidnapper and killer.
