Rochester murder suspect related to Mayor's Special Assistant

“I can’t win. I lose all the way around. I lose a friend and if it’s found true I lose a grandson,” said Daryl Porter.
 
Special Assistant to the Mayor Daryl Porter is facing a double tragedy. Last week he lost one of his best friends when community activist James Slater was gunned down. Now he stands to lose his step grandson accused of Slater's murder.
 
“The hardest thing is to have to deal with that, losing a loved one and a friend and then finding out that your own grandson is being charged with that murder,” said Porter.
 
On Thursday 19-year-old Henry Cox was arraigned in Rochester City Court on second degree murder charges in the death of James Slater.
 
Porter says he hopes the charges aren't true. “I pray to God that they find that my grandson didn't have anything to do with this and that they have the wrong person,” said Porter. But according court records Cox and 18-year old Darnell Norton robbed Slater, taking an Ipod, two cell phones, and cash before shooting him dead.
 
“We pray its not true but if it is true then let justice be served and let it be served swiftly,” said Porter. Despite his hope that his grandson is innocent Porter says what he really wants is justice for Slater and an end to the violence. “This kind of violence in this city will stop. Not only does it have to stop, it will stop,” added Porter.