Porterville Man Found Sane in 2017 Attempted Murders

On November 8, 2019, in Department 17 of the Tulare County Superior Court, South County Justice Center, Judge Michael Sheltzer presiding, a jury found Harry Sprague, age 77, sane during the commission of the attempted murder of two people at a Porterville mobile home park in 2017.

Prior to the sanity trial, Sprague pleaded no contest on October 18, 2019 to two counts of premeditated, willful, and deliberate attempted murder with the special allegation of use of a firearm resulting in great bodily injury. Under California law, the plea coupled with a sane verdict constitutes as a conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for December 10, 2019, in Superior Court where Sprague faces 64 years-to-life in prison.

Just after 7:00 pm on July 17, 2017, Sprague shot an adult male and female after an argument over use of the mobile home park’s community pool, of which Sprague was a resident. Witness accounts and surveillance showed Sprague retrieving a .357 revolver from a backpack and shooting at the couple. The male victim was hit once in the shoulder while the female victim was struck in the nose. Sprague was located next to his trailer shortly after and taken into custody. The victims were taken to Kaweah Delta where they recovered from their injuries.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jessica Weatherly of the Porterville Division and was investigated by the Porterville Police Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Robert Dempsie (559) 636-5494