Ex-pastor's trial put on hold because juror and alternate ill

A juror and an alternate juror called in sick Monday, so the trial of former pastor Howard "Doug" Porter is taking a hiatus in Stanislaus County Superior Court.

Porter, 57, of La Grange is suspected of embezzling $1.1 million from an elderly man who dreamed of using money inherited from a brother to build an agricultural museum.

The man who led the Hickman Community Church for nearly two decades also is suspected of staging two truck crashes involving rancher Frank Craig: a March 5, 2002, incident that crippled Craig and a April 22, 2004, incident that killed him.

Craig enlisted Porter's help to get the museum built, giving Porter control of his finances and health care decisions in the process.

Porter has been held without bail since his arrest Nov. 27, 2006. He is charged with first- degree murder, attempted murder, theft or embezzlement from an elder adult by a caretaker, and elder abuse causing death.

The trial, which began May 12 with jury selection, does not meet Tuesdays, so a prosecutor will continue presenting evidence Wednesday.