Rhode Island “habitual criminal” sentenced to life in prison for murder of 17-year-old Tiphany Tallo

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Rhode Island man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to life in prison after being found guilty of the murder of 17-year-old Tiphany Tallo in Providence.

On October 4, 2022, following the conclusion of a 12-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause, the jury found 42-year-old Leron Porter guilty of one count of second-degree murder, one count of discharge of a firearm when committing a crime of violence resulting in death, and one count of possession of a firearm by person prohibited.

At a hearing on February 14, 2023, before Judge Krause, the Court sentenced the defendant to consecutive life sentences at the Adult Correctional Institutions for murder and discharging a firearm when committing a crime of violence resulting in death. Additionally, the Court deemed Porter a habitual criminal and sentenced him to a consecutive 35-year sentence as a habitual criminal and for possession of a firearm by person prohibited, 24 years of which are to be served without parole.

“Tiphany Tallo meant everything to her family, friends and community. Just 17 years old when she was senselessly murdered by this defendant, she had her whole life ahead of her. In some ways, it is unfathomable how a petty dispute could lead to a melee that ends with a child being shot in the chest. Yet given the widespread availability of guns and the belief among many that solutions to problems can be found with such weapons, perhaps it is not,” said Attorney General Neronha. “The defendant deserves every minute of the decades of imprisonment imposed by the court today. Tiphany will be remembered long after this defendant is forgotten. I am grateful to the men and women of the Providence Police Department for their continued outstanding work, in this case and in so many others.”

During the trial, the State proved that during the early evening hours of May 9, 2011, Porter shot and killed 17-year-old Tiphany Tallo during a violent melee in Providence involving family members of Porter and the victim.

That evening, Porter travelled with several family members to a home on Spruce Street to confront Tallo’s sister during an ongoing dispute between her and the Porter’s sister.

Shortly after Porter and his family members arrived at the home on Spruce Street, Porter’s sister fought with Tallo’s sister, both falling to the ground. Members of Porter’s family then stabbed Tallo’s sister with a knife and beat her with a wooden bat.

At that moment, Tallo attempted to come to her sister’s aid, when Porter shot her once in the chest with a .45 caliber handgun. Porter and his family members then fled the scene in two vehicles before being apprehended by Providence Police officers a short time later.

Hours later, Tiphany Tallo was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Investigators never recovered the handgun Porter used to murder her.

“Today is an important day for Tiphany Tallo’s loved ones and those who never gave up in the pursuit of justice for her,” said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. “Our thoughts today linger on the memory of Tiphany and the hope that today’s sentencing represents some measure of closure for her family. I thank the members of the Providence Police Department and the Office of the Attorney General who worked diligently on this case.”

Previously, Porter was convicted in Providence County Superior Court of the murder of Tiphany Tallo and sentenced by Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel on March 6, 2014, to consecutive life sentences at the ACI. On May 31, 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ordered that the defendant’s conviction be vacated, and he be retried in State court within 90 days. Following the First Circuit’s decision, the State retried the defendant for murder, where he was found guilty, concluding with today’s sentencing.

Assistant Attorney General Peter Roklan and Special Assistant Attorney General Alison Bittl of the Office of the Attorney General and Detectives Casey Moffett (retired), William Mattera, and Michael Otrando of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and most recent prosecution of the case.