Vikings club member Al Potter charged with 2nd-degree murder in Dale Porter slaying
Porter, 39, was killed on his North River property in June 2014
An arrest and charge has been made in connection with the killing of Dale Porter, more than two years after the man's death.
Al Potter, 53, was arrested yesterday in London, Ont., and was charged with second-degree murder.
Porter, 39, was stabbed on his North River property in June of 2014. RCMP said he later succumbed in hospital to multiple stab wounds.
Until the RCMP provided details of Potter's arrest Tuesday afternoon, no charges had been laid in his death. Potter had, however, been identified as a suspect in an earlier affidavit.
Victim had no criminal record, no ties to motorcycle club
Residents of the Conception Bay North community were shocked by the homicide. Porter, a father of two young children, had no criminal record and was described as friendly, helpful and easygoing.
His death came after a night of partying at a nightclub in nearby Bay Roberts.
It was a thorough investigation that was done, and unfortunately it took the time that it took.- RCMP Supt. Pat Cahill
When revelers left the bar to continue the party at Porter's house, occupants in a taxi — the second one to arrive at the home — discovered Porter dying in his driveway. Sources say Porter and three others, two men and a woman, arrived in an earlier taxi.
"When he returned home an altercation took place outside his residence, during which he was seriously injured," RCMP Supt. Pat Cahill said Tuesday.
Cahill said Potter was at the same bar as Porter that night.
Supt. Cahill says he can't say whether or not a weapon recovered in investigation either. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nlcrime?src=hash">#nlcrime</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash">#cbcnl</a>
—@McCabeMeg'Complex' investigation
The charge against Potter, who police confirmed Tuesday was affiliated with the Vikings Motorcycle Club, comes more than two years after Porter's death.
Cahill defended the length of the RCMP investigation, saying it was a "complex file."
"It was a thorough investigation that was done, and unfortunately it took the time that it took."
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In February 2015, CBC reported that investigators believed two associates of the Vikings Motorcycle Club, Allan Potter and Daniel Leonard, were suspects in the case.
Police haven't said whether Leonard is still suspected to be linked to the incident.
RCMP said Porter had no connection to the Vikings gang.
Can't say if any other charges will be laid, against Al Potter or any other individuals. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nlcrime?src=hash">#nlcrime</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash">#cbcnl</a>
—@McCabeMegCiting the ongoing investigation, police wouldn't specify what evidence led to Potter's arrest and charge, or whether a weapon in Porter's death was found.
Early in 2015, RCMP said they had achieved a major development in the investigation thanks to DNA evidence.
Cahill claimed that as the investigation was ongoing, and charges have been brought, he couldn't speak specifically about any evidence.
RCMP said Potter was recently incarcerated in Ontario, and "just released recently."
Potter appeared in Ontario court Tuesday. He will be transported back to Newfoundland and Labrador for his next court appearance, scheduled to take place in Harbour Grace this week.
With files from Meghan McCabe