Crime & Safety
Trial for Man Charged in Gas Station Homicide Begins Friday
Opening statements begin Friday in the murder trial of Walter Bishop.

The trial of an Essex man accused of a 2010 murder in Towson is expected to begin Friday.
Opening statements in Walter Bishop's trial are set to begin in Harford County Circuit Court in Bel Air, the Baltimore County State's Attorney's office announced Thursday. Bishop's attorneys successfully argued for a change of venue from Baltimore County to Harford County.
Bishop, 29, is accused of killing William R. Porter last March as Porter arrived at the Hess gas station on East Joppa Road, which he managed. Porter's wife, Karla, is accused of masterminding the murder-for-hire plot. Karla Porter's trial is scheduled for next year.
Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In a press release, prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty, which under state law requires DNA evidence, surveillance footage or a taped confession. The Towson Times reported that five days after the shooting, Bishop told Baltimore County investigators on camera that he shot Porter. Bishop's attorneys told the paper he was entrapped by investigators, and he has pleaded not guilty.
Karla Porter's sister-in-law, Susan Datta, on murder charges for providing the murder weapon. She has not yet been sentenced.
Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.