Bio

Sidney Porterfield was born on February 28, 1943. He grow up in Tennessee. He was convicted of robbery with a deadly weapon in 1968 and had two other convictions for simple robbery in 1971. He became involved in a murder-for-hire scheme. In 1985, he agreed to participate in a plan to kill Ronald Owens, a situation that emerged from interactions with Owens' wife, Gaile Owens. 

Murder Story

On February 17, 1985, Sidney Porterfield was involved in a murder that changed many lives. He was hired by Gaile Owens to kill her husband, Ronald Owens. Gaile had spent months trying to find someone to carry out this act. On the afternoon of the murder, Gaile told Sidney that Ronald would either be home alone that night or at church playing basketball.

That evening, Ronald and Gaile attended church with their two sons. After church, Ronald stayed to play basketball. Gaile took their sons to a restaurant and then to her sister's house, saying they would return home later. They arrived back at their house around 11:00 p.m. When they got back, the family's car was in the driveway with the doors open and the interior light on. They found signs of struggle inside the house and blood splattered on the walls and floor.

Ronald was found unconscious in the den, covered in blood. He ultimately died about six hours later due to the injuries inflicted on him. An autopsy revealed he had been hit at least twenty-one times with a blunt object, specifically identified as a tire iron. This caused severe trauma to his head and extensive injuries to his hands, indicating he had been trying to protect himself during the attack.

Sidney Porterfield had gone to the Owens’ house that night. When Ronald returned home, he found Sidney in the yard. A confrontation ensued in which Sidney struck Ronald multiple times. After the murder, Sidney disposed of the tire iron and gloves he had used.

The police were tipped off about the crime when another man, who had been approached by Gaile, came forward. He helped the police gather evidence against her, including recording conversations where she discussed the murder. When Gaile was arrested, she initially claimed she had only intended to scare Ronald. However, evidence showed her planning extended well beyond that. She later confessed to offering money for the murder.

Both Sidney Porterfield and Gaile Owens faced trial for their roles in Ronald's death. Sidney was sentenced to death on February 21, 1986. He died on May 21, 2014, at the age of 71.