Murder, burglary and arson charges filed in Cedar Lake case
By Ruth Ann Krause Post-Tribune correspondent July 13, 2012 2:50PM
Anthony LaPorta. | Provided Photo~Sun-Times Media
Updated: August 15, 2012 6:06AM
Murder, felony murder, burglary and arson charges have been filed in Lake Superior Court against a 23-year-old Cedar Lake man in the stabbing death of his neighbor.
Authorities allege in court records that Anthony Peter LaPorta set fire to the victim’s home Wednesday morning after he stabbed Adam Giordano 10 or more times and cut his throat.
In a statement to police, LaPorta told police he jimmied the door to the Giordano residence at 14741 Cline Ave., and was confronted by Giordano, who asked him what he was doing, then came at him, the probable cause affidavit states.
LaPorta had a knife and stabbed Giordano several times. Giordano tried to run through the front door, but LaPorta grabbed him from behind, pulled him back into the house and continued to stab him. The men ended up wrestling on the floor. LaPorta then cut Giordano across the throat.
LaPorta told investigators he decided to set fire to the home after realizing Giordano was dead, according to the probable cause affidavit. He began taking various items from the home and made at least six trips between the Giordano home and his mother’s home, court records state. He then poured accelerant inside the Giordano home and lit matches. The home, owned by Giordano’s parents, was destroyed.
Afterward, LaPorta told police he burned his clothes in a wood stove, took the stolen property to an upstairs bedroom and showered. He cleaned the folding knife with peroxide.
LaPorta’s mother gave permission to search the home, where police discovered Giordano’s stolen items. In addition, they retrieved surveillance footage from a camera showing LaPorta carrying items from Giordano’s house. He is wearing different clothes as he made a second trip carrying items from Giordano’s home.
LaPorta told police he thought he deleted the surveillance footage.
The charges are punishable by a maximum 65-year sentence. LaPorta is being held without bond at the Lake County Jail.
