UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA

JOE STECHER, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

1620 DODGE STREET, OMAHA, NE 68102-1506

(402) 661-3700

December 18, 2007

United States Attorney Joe W. Stecher and the Federal Bureau of announce the following information for the attention of the media:

Event Triggering this Release : Janice Grant, 30, of Macy , Nebraska , was convicted after a jury trial of Second Degree Murder.  The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon accepted the jury’s verdict and scheduled sentencing for March 26, 2008.

Grant stabbed her boyfriend, Erasmo Porter, 24, in the chest with a kitchen knife.  The fatal wound pierced the heart in two places and pierced the liver.  Porter died of internal bleeding.

The murder occurred in Macy , Nebraska , on the Omaha Indian Reservation during the early morning hours on July 3, 2007.  Both Grant and Porter were enrolled members of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.  Testimony at trial indicated that the two argued over Porter’s desire to leave their residence and attend a nearby party.  Grant admitted to stabbing Porter, claiming that he was coming toward her in a menacing manner.  Evidence at trial demonstrated that the two had a turbulent relationship.  Evidence was adduced demonstrating that Grant had stabbed Porter on at least two previous occasions and had threatened to stab him on three other occasions.

Name of Defendant : Janice Grant

AKA: 

Age: 30

City of residence: Macy , Nebraska

Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty (A CHARGE is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty) : Second Degree Murder.  Penalty: Up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years supervised release following imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.

Specific Location of Alleged Crime : Macy , Nebraska

Location of Arrest : Macy , Nebraska

Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug : 

Others Charged in Same Scheme : 

Relevant Dates : 

Date of Alleged Crime : July 3, 2007

Federal Arrest Date : July 5, 2007

Date Complaint Issued : July 5, 2007

Indictment Returned Date : July 18, 2007

Initial Appearance Date : July 5, 2007, on the complaint and July 23, 2007, on the indictment

Plea or Trial and Date(s) : Trial December 10-18, 2007

Sentencing Date : March 26, 2008

Next Court Hearing Type and Date : Sentencing March 26, 2008

Assigned Magistrate Judge : The Honorable Thomas D. Thalken

Held without Bond, or Released from Custody : Held

In Continuous Custody Since : July 5, 2007

Assigned District Court Judge : The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon

Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release : MPN/mg

Carrie Sawicki

Chief Division Counsel

Media Coordinator

FBI, Omaha Division

402-492-3733