David Lee Porter Sentenced to Life Without the Possibility of Parole for the Murder of David Treese, III

Rochester, NY- On Friday, February 14, 2025, New York State Supreme Court Justice Richard Healy sentenced 36-year-old David Lee Porter to Life in the New York State Department of Corrections Without the Possibility of parole. The defendant was previously convicted by a jury of Murder 1st Degree, two counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree, two counts of Attempted Robbery in the 1st Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree for the murder of David Treese, III back on April 22, 2024.

On April 22, 2024, at approximately 4:15AM, Rochester Police Officers were called to Bay Street in the City of Rochester for reports of an unresponsive man on the side of the road. The victim was discovered to be 45-year-old David Treese, III, who was found dead from gunshot wounds. It was determined that David Treese was a taxi cab driver. The victim’s car was found abandoned and wrecked on Central Park.

After a thorough investigation by the Rochester Police Department, David Lee Porter was arrested for the murder of David Treese, III. A call was made for a taxi cab, where David Treese, a stranger to the defendant, arrived at First Street to pick up the fare. When David Treese arrived, David Lee Porter climbed into the taxi-cab armed with a gun and began to pistol-whip the victim, demanding money. The defendant continued to beat David Treese as the victim attempted to drive away, eventually shooting Mr. Treese multiple times. David Lee Porter stole the vehicle, ultimately crashing it on Central Park, before abandoning the car on foot. The entire homicide was recorded on camera from inside the taxi-cab.

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles.

“Life in the New York State Department of Corrections without parole is the only appropriate sentence for this senseless and brutal murder,” said Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles. “By all accounts, David Treese was man who worked hard, contributed to this community, and loved his family. This is in stark contrast to David Porter, who made the decision to carry an illegal weapon, jump inside a taxi-cab, and kill Mr. Treese. I want to thank the Rochester Police Department for their thorough investigation which resulted in the swift identification and apprehension of David Lee Porter. I also want to thank the family of David Treese, who was in the courtroom every step of the way. It is my hope, and the hope of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, that although they will never see their loved one again, that Mr. Treese’s family can find justice in today’s sentence.”

“David Lee Porter violently ambushed David Treese, a hardworking individual who was doing his job,” said District Attorney Sandra Doorley. “Nobody deserves to die in this fashion, let alone David Treese. This murder was unprompted, intentional, and among the most violent cases that has come to our office during my time as the Monroe County District Attorney. With this disturbing act of violence, I believe our community is safer with David Porter spending the rest of his life in the New York State Department of Corrections. Today’s life sentence is a much-needed resolution for the loved ones of David Treese, III, and our prayers are with all of you.”