Jury Finds David Lee Porter Guilty of Murder in the 1st Degree and Several Felony Counts for the Murder of David Treese, III

Rochester, NY - On Monday, January 13, 2025, a Monroe County Jury convicted 36-year-old David Lee Porter 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.

“David Treese was a kind-hearted person, who had a family who loved him and friends who respected him,” said Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles. “David Lee Porter made the decision to carry an illegal weapon, jump inside a taxi-cab, and kill Mr. Treese in a particularly brutal fashion. I want to thank the Rochester Police Department for their thorough investigation which resulted in the swift identification and apprehension of David Lee Porter. Today, our community is safer knowing that the defendant may now spend the rest of his life in the New York State Department of Corrections.”

“David Treese was doing his job and making a living when he was ambushed by David Lee Porter that devastating morning in April,” said District Attorney Sandra Doorley. “This homicide was among the most disturbing acts of violence I have seen during my time as the Monroe County District Attorney. This murder was unprompted, intentional, and gruesome. There is no excuse for this violent murder that ripped away the life of a hardworking member of this community. Today’s conviction is a much-needed resolution for the loved ones of David Treese, III, and our prayers are with all of you.”

David Lee Porter will be sentenced on February 14, 2025, in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice Richard Healy.