Parole Denied in 2003 Porterville Murder

Yesterday at a virtual hearing, TCDA prosecutors secured a three-year denial of parole for Theresa Ann Dorchester, age 39, in the 2003 murder of a family member. Dorchester is currently serving a life sentence at the Central California Women’s Facility.

In the late evening of June 4, 2003, in Porterville, Dorchester went to the residence of her uncle, the victim, stating that she wanted to talk to him about an issue. The victim went outside with Dorchester. Less than 10 minutes later, the victim returned to the residence covered in blood where witnesses stated he said, “She got me good,” before he collapsed. Dorchester had been seen with a butterfly knife a few days before the incident.

After her arrest the next day in Visalia, Dorchester admitted the stabbing to detectives due a grudge against her uncle, an action she described as “payback time.” In early 2005, a Tulare County jury convicted her of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to 26 years-to-life in prison.

The Office of the District Attorney regularly attends life parole hearings and a Chief Deputy District Attorney argued against the inmate’s release. Parole commissioners noted Dorchester’s behavior while incarcerated as a factor in her denial, which included several fights and other rules violations.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494