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Post by earl on May 15, 2012 0:02:24 GMT -5
She is 5' 2", a thin build, brown eyes and long, black hair. Sierra LaMar  Sierra LaMar, 15, has been missing since the morning of March 16, 2012, when she left her Morgan Hill home in Santa Clara County, Calif., to attend classes at Sobrato High School. ..... .....The following day authorities found Lamar's discarded cellphone along a road about three-quarters of a mile northwest of her mother's home. The day after that her purse and backpack were recovered about a mile from where investigators recovered the cellphone. ..... .....Contact investigators at 408-808-4500 or an anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431. Tips can be sent by email via tips@sheriff.sccgov.org. www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/johnathan-ramsey-starved-remains-identified-texas_n_1516464.html?ncid=webmail1 |
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Post by meme on May 15, 2012 1:58:11 GMT -5
Red Jetta Still the Focus of Sierra Lamar Investigation Mon, 14 May MORGAN HILL (KRON) --Forensic experts continue to scour a red Volkswagon Jetta with a black hood named as an important clue in the search for missing teenager Sierra Lamar. Now KRON 4 News has learned authorities had the car in question in impound even before they put out an alert asking for the public's held in finding it. "This red Jetta was known to investigators early on in the investigation at the end of March," Santa Clara County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jose Cardoza tells KRON 4's Terisa Estacio. "There are other vehicles that we knew of at the time that were seen by a witness or the surveillance video that we obtained that were also in the area. It wasn't until recently, the last couple of weeks based on some re-interviews and some tips and leads that came in that really piqued the detectives' interest. They believed this red Jetta was associated." Volunteers continue to search the areas around where Sierra was last seen more than two months ago leaving her home to catch the bus to school. Police later located her cell phone and a purse containing spare clothes not far away. Investigators say they do know know the registered owner of the red Jetta but aren't letting anyone know who he or she may be. "We're just really not going to comment on in what capacity we believe it's associated, whether how big or how small, but we do believe it's connected in some way," Sgt. Cardoza adds. Deputies have answered and checked out hundreds of leads in this case. www.kron4.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=4125 |
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Post by meme on May 15, 2012 2:07:46 GMT -5
Missing teen Sierra LaMar: Teams to search small ponds, waterways A Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesman said Wednesday the department's dive team is searching "small ponds and waterways" in an unincorporated area of South San Jose in its search for evidence in the case of missing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar. The announcement comes one day after officials located a red Volkswagen Jetta believed to be connected to her March 16 abduction. The mid-1990s four-door sedan with a black hood had been spotted on numerous surveillance videos near Sierra's Morgan Hill home the morning she disappeared, said Sheriff's Sgt. Jose Cardoza. The car also appeared in videos taken in the area where the cheerleader's purse and school books were recovered a few days later. Its occupants were not visible on the videos, said Cardoza, who declined to disclose how or where the car was found. "Investigators do have the vehicle in their custody but are asking the public to report any sightings of this vehicle and/or occupants during the time surrounding Sierra’s disappearance," Cardoza said in a statement Tuesday. "The sheriff’s office is specifically interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen this vehicle or had contact with the occupant(s) during the month of March within Santa Clara County or bordering counties." Sierra's cellphone was also located the day after her disappearance -- in the opposite direction from the school bus stop where police believe she was headed. A massive community search effort has been underway in Morgan Hill, south of San Jose. In addition, divers have searched reservoirs and investigators have followed up on thousands of leads. Volunteer searches were continuing Wednesday and Saturday, according to the KlaasKids Foundation, which has organized them. The foundation has also announced that the "America's Most Wanted" TV show will feature Sierra's disappearance Friday. Anyone with information on the case should contact sheriff's investigators at (408) 808-4500 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431. Emailed tips should be send to: tips@sheriff.sccgov.org. latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/05/missing-teen-sierra-lamar-teams-to-search-small-ponds-waterways.html |
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Post by earl on May 21, 2012 9:44:30 GMT -5
Video of the mother and the reasons for her hope is at the link. Search for Sierra marks two-month anniversaryMORGAN HILL, Calif. -- Friends and family of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar are marking the two-month anniversary of her disappearance today with another search. ...."This is not how I wanted to acknowledge this date, but I am deeply grateful that the community continues to support her cause," Sierra's father, Steve LaMar said in a statement Tuesday. ....Anyone with information is asked to contact sheriff's investigators at (408) 808-4500 or call the anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431. abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=8663869 |
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Post by meme on May 22, 2012 1:47:10 GMT -5
Suspect arrested for murder and kidnapping of Sierra LaMar A 21-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with one count of murder and one count of kidnapping Monday in connection with the disappearance of Morgan Hill teen Sierra La Mar, according to authorities. KTVU confirmed Monday evening that Santa Clara sheriff's deputies were holding 21-year-old Antolin Garcia-Torres in custody as a suspect in the case. Garcia-Torres, a resident of San Martin, is the owner of the red VW Jetta that authorities sought and seized in connection with the case on May 8th. Garcia-Torres was being questioned about the disappearance of the 15-year old girl from Morgan Hill. Shortly after 10 p.m. when KTVU broke the story, officials confirmed that Garcia-Torres was booked on one charge of murder and one charge of kidnapping. At the Santa Clara County sheriff's office Monday night, there were high hopes that the arrest is the break investigators have needed to solve the disappearance of Sierra La Mar. A KTVU camera crew was at the Safeway store on Tenant Avenue in Morgan Hill at around 6 p.m. when sheriff's detectives took Garcia-Torres, a store employee, into custody. KTVU followed the detectives to the sheriff's headquarters in San Jose and were outside at around 9 p.m. when detectives took Torres to the main county jail. Sources tell KTVU detectives questioned Garcia-Torres for two hours about the missing teenager, trying to find out her location. Authorities were mum when pressed for more details. Sources said there is some DNA evidence linking Garcia-Torres to the clothing found in Sierra La Mar's backpack. We have also been told that Garcia-Torres has been under around-the-clock surveillance since he was identified, including at his job and at his San Martin home. The sheriff's office was declining to comment on the arrest or provide any details about what Garcia-Torres has said including whether he knows Sierra La Mar. The sheriff's department said it plans to release more details at a news conference Tuesday. Video: www.ktvu.com/videos/news/san-jose-suspect-arrested-in-co nnection-with/vHPHX/ Source: www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/suspect-taken-cu stody-sierra-la-mar-case/nPBX3/ |
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Post by meme on May 22, 2012 2:43:44 GMT -5
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Post by meme on May 22, 2012 13:00:10 GMT -5
Sheriff: Suspect linked by DNA to missing CA teen Story Updated 2012.05.22 at 08:59 AM A 21-year-old man in custody was linked to the kidnapping and murder of a missing teenager by DNA evidence found in her bag, authorities said Tuesday. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said Antolin Garcia-Torres's DNA was found inside a bag belonging to Sierra LaMar. Sierra's DNA was also found on unspecified property belonging to Garcia-Torres, according to sheriff's officials. Smith said it appeared to be a random act of violence. "We believe this is the worst kind of crime, a stranger abducting a young girl," she said at a news conference attended by Sierra's family. Garcia-Torres was arrested Monday on suspicion of murder and kidnapping of Sierra, whose disappearance more than two months ago prompted hundreds of volunteers to turn out for organized searches. Sierra hadn't been seen or heard from since she left her home in Morgan Hill to go to school on March 16. Authorities believe she was kidnapped while walking to a school bus stop. Smith said Garcia-Torres had been under 24-hour surveillance since March 28 and that evidence also linked him to at least one assault in March 2009. Authorities identified other suspects during the course of the investigation and also put them under surveillance before focusing on Garcia-Torres, Smith said. Garcia-Torres's DNA had been in a law enforcement database following his arrest on suspicion of felony assault, according to sheriff's officials. They did not provide details about that arrest. Volunteers and sheriff's officials searched the fields, open spaces and reservoirs near Morgan Hill since Sierra's disappearance. The KlaasKids Foundation, founded by Marc Klaas, whose 12-year-old daughter Polly was kidnapped from her Petaluma home and murdered in 1993, has been organizing volunteer searches on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Investigators found Sierra's handbag with clothing and a cellphone along the side of the road near her home shortly after her mother reported her missing. Earlier this month, investigators located a red Volkswagen Jetta they said may have been connected to Sierra's abduction given that surveillance cameras and witnesses put the car near the area where authorities believe she disappeared. Smith said late Monday that Garcia-Torres owns the Volkswagen. Smith said Garcia-Torres has spoken to investigators. Sierra's mother, Marlene, asked Garcia-Torres to reveal any information he has that could lead to Sierra. "I would like you to come forward and say where she is and end this nightmare for us as a family," she said. wap.ktvu.com/wap/mobileSearch/newsSearch/text.jsp?sid=242&q=sierra%20lamar&st=newsSearch&nid=4107210511&cid=5044&scid=0&ith=1 |
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Post by meme on May 25, 2012 12:57:50 GMT -5
Body found in Pleasanton trash can appears to be adult female Posted: 05/25/2012 08:42:42 AM PDT Updated: 05/25/2012 08:42:43 AM PDT PLEASANTON -- Authorities are treating the discovery of a body found Thursday in a trash can as a homicide, and have determined the body is that of an adult female, officials said. Authorities have not released the age of the woman, who had long hair and painted nails. But sources have said that, based on decomposition and age, they believe the body is an adult and not Sierra LaMar, a missing 15-year-old Morgan Hill girl. Police responded about 11:30 a.m. Thursday to a report of a trash can in some shrubbery on Dublin Canyon Road near Laurel Creek Drive. The container was found in the foliage adjacent to the roadway on the north side of the 11000 block of Dublin Canyon Road, Pleasanton police Lt. Jeff Bretzing said. The area is an upscale development called The Preserve and not far from Interstate 580 "When officers arrived, they opened it up and found what looked like human remains," Bretzing said Thursday. About 3 p.m., the body was loaded into a coroner's van, while at least five brown bags of what appeared to be evidence and the black oval-shaped garbage can on wheels were loaded into a police van. Authorities did not say what the bags contained. Pleasanton police and members of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office crime lab scoured the area for evidence. The homicide investigation is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information related to this case should call the Pleasanton Police Department at 925-931-5100. www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20710348/body-found-pleasanton-trash-can-appears-be-adult |
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Post by meme on May 25, 2012 13:00:09 GMT -5
Accused Sierra LaMar slayer makes court appearance Story posted 2012.05.24 at 02:14 PM Wearing an orange jail inmate jumpsuit and black shirt, the 21-year-old former Safeway clerk accused of kidnapping and killing Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar made his first court appearance Thursday, asking a judge for a delay in his arraignment. Antolin Garcia-Torres, who is facing one count of murder and one count of kidnapping, only appeared for a few moments and his public defender asked Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Jerome Nadler to continue the case for a week. Nadler ordered Garcia-Torres to return to court on May 31 to formally be arraigned on the charges. The judge ordered him to be held without bail. District Attorney Jeff Rosen said after the hearing that Garcia-Torres is eligible for the death penalty, but that his office hasn't yet decided whether to pursue capital punishment. "My office and law enforcement, aided by many volunteers in this county, continue to devote all available resources to finding her body," Rosen said of 15-year-old Sierra. "We hope that will happen soon to give her family some measure of peace," he said. A probable cause statement from the sheriff's office that was released by the district attorney's office today provided more details about the morning of Sierra's disappearance. Sierra woke up at 6 a.m. on March 16 and began getting ready for school. Her mother's boyfriend had left for work, and her mother left a short time later, according to the document. Sierra posted a photo of herself on a social media website at 7 a.m., and text-messaged a classmate at 7:11 a.m. to make plans to meet at school that day to compare their schoolwork and share makeup, according to the statement. She typically left home by 7:15 a.m. and caught the bus to school at an unmarked bus stop several blocks from her house at 7:24 a.m., according to the document. However, she never made it to school that day. Her cellphone was found the next day in a field within a mile of her home, and two days after her disappearance, her black-and-white Juicy-brand purse was found near a shed in a field less than 2 miles from her house. The purse contained schoolbooks, clothing and other items. DNA collected from the clothing was found to have a "strong association" to that of Antolin Garcia-Torres, who lived 7 miles from Sierra's home, according to the statement. Sierra's body has yet to be found and there's no murder weapon. Yet the district attorney's office says it has enough evidence to go to trial. "A good defense attorney is going to want to get this to trial quickly," said Michael Cardoza,a criminal defense lawyer. Cardoza added if her body isn't found and Garcia-Torres is acquitted, prosecutors may not be able to try him again. "They cannot retry him if they find the body in a year or so and there's evidence on that body that shows that he did it. The game's over," explained Cardoza. For the fourth straight day, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's dive team was at Uvas Reservoir using advanced sonar detection equipment. Sources close to the investigation say the suspect told them early on that he often went fishing around Morgan Hill. Garcia-Torres mother said on the day after Sierra's disappearance her son went to the reservoir. "He went back to go fishing at Uvas, Uvas Park," said his mother, Laura Torres. About 180 volunteers searched Wednesday for the missing teen. Sierra's mother told KTVU they're not giving up. "We're just not satisfied with someone being taken into custody. We still want her back and we're never going to give up," said Marlene LaMar. Cameras are being allowed in the courtroom for the arraignment and for the first time, the public may actually hear from Antolin Garcia-Torres. wap.ktvu.com/wap/news/text.jsp?sid=242&nid=1967616305&title=Accused%20Sierra%20LaMar%20slayer%20makes%20court%20appearance&headtitle=Local+News&nstart=1&cid=5038&scid=-1&from=&redir=&ith=0&storytitle=Accused+Sierra+LaMar+slayer+makes+court+appearance |
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Post by meme on Jun 1, 2012 0:23:05 GMT -5
Sierra LaMar Suspect Enters No Plea May 31, 2012 Antolin Garcia-Torres did not enter a plea Thursday on charges that he kidnapped and murdered Sierra LaMar. The 21-year-old Morgan Hill man was ordered to return to court on July 10. snip www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local...155963335.html |
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Post by meme on Jun 4, 2012 16:28:25 GMT -5
Monday, June 4, 2012 Divers check out reservoir sonar scan hits in search for Sierra LaMar KTVU And Wires MORGAN HILL, Calif. — Divers and search teams returned to a South Bay reservoir Monday, hoping to identify underwater objects seen on sonar scans in their search for the body of kidnapping victim Sierra LaMar. Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Brett Moore said there were some sonar images from last week that needed to be identified in the waters of Uvas Reservoir. “We have further sonar images that were scanned before the weekend that we are going to return and dive on,” he told KTVU. “We have to identify what they are.” Moore said markers would be placed for divers on the areas where the side-scan sonar detected images. However, the search was a slow process because of the reservoir’s murky waters. “We’ll be doing a lot of SCUBA diving today,” he said. “Sometimes there is absolutely zero visibility so you are just feeling around with your hands.” Lt. Dan Rodriguez – another member of the dive team – said divers were determine to find the teenager’s body if it was dumped in the reservoir. “It’s bittersweet,” he told KTVU. “You do and you don’t want to find something. We’re exploring all possibility out there in the water.” The waters of the reservoir have been the focus of the search since the mother of suspect Antolin Garcia-Torres told investigators her son was there the day after LaMar’s abduction on March 16th. www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-...search-/nPLbN/ |
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Post by meme on Jun 4, 2012 16:29:49 GMT -5
Sierra LaMar case: Last scheduled water search set for today By Mark Gomez Posted: 06/04/2012 09:15:08 AM PDT The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office will resume searching for the body of Sierra LaMar this morning by sending divers into the water of the Uvas Reservoir. The effort is a completion of the search at Uvas. Dive teams searches those waters in mid-May, according to the sheriff's office. Teams will search in a handful of areas based off "side scan sonar," a technology that detects objects underwater and has been used throughout the search to help scour waterways in the Morgan Hill area. Snip After today's search, any future water searches will be based on tips and leads, according to Sgt. Jose Cardoza. www.mercurynews.com/breaking-...ter-search-set |
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Post by meme on Jun 13, 2012 20:35:11 GMT -5
Attorney removed from Sierra LaMar case Thursday, June 07, 2012 SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office has declared a conflict of interest in representing the man suspected of killing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar. No explanation was given in court, but ABC7 News has been digging into the story. The conflict may very well be Antolin Garcia-Torres' father. In addition to the father's criminal history which includes DUIs, domestic violence, and vehicular manslaughter, he currently faces some disturbing allegations of repeated sexual assault on a child. Public defender Ken Mandel briefly appeared in court on May 31 with murder suspect Antolin Garcia-Torres. Thursday he stepped down citing a conflict of interest. Mandel does not have to disclose what that conflict is, but ABC7 News has learned the Public Defender's Office also represents Garcia-Torres father in a current sexual assault case. "If an attorney detects even the potential conflict, in the context of litigation, he must withdraw. So the public defender did exactly the right thing," said ABC7 legal analyst Dean Johnson. Garcia-Torres is accused of kidnapping and killing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar in March. Court documents show his father Genaro Garcia Fernandez faces 14 counts of child molestation and sexual assault against a family member. The now adult woman came forward last year and outlined for detectives 10 years of abuse between 1990 and 2000 beginning when she was just 5 years old. One alleged assault at age 7 or 8 was so vicious the report states, "The pain was so bad that V1 [Victim 1] needed to be carried by other people from place to place." The report also details threats to keep the child quiet. "As the victim cried, Genaro told her 'not to say anything, or else.' The victim said Genaro had no remorse after the assault." Johnson thinks the father's case is interesting in light of evidence unfolding against Garcia-Torres. "Often these defendants in these horrific crimes are defendants who as children have been exposed to that same sort of horrific behavior," said Johnson. Ironically, father and son were scheduled to be in court just one day apart next month. With the change in attorneys, the timeline has shifted and the accused killer of LaMar is now scheduled to enter a plea on July 31. There are also new indications that Garcia-Torres may be the man Gilroy police say tried to lure four children into a car last summer. Their suspect sketch seems to closely resemble Garcia-Torres. "It gives me chills just thinking about it," said Gilroy resident Jacinda Barker. Barker and her family live on Miller Avenue where one of the incidents took place. Gilroy police say a man tried to get a 10-year-old girl into his car. A few days later on Ortega Circle, a man with the same description tried to lure three children to accompany him to a local restaurant. Gilroy police won't say if Garcia-Torres is the suspect in those two incidents because there haven't been any formal charges yet, but Gilroy Police Sgt. Chad Gallacinao did say, "The whereabouts of the potential suspect are known and given his current location, he poses no threat to the public." Whoever the suspect is, the Barkers are relieved. "Sometimes it takes, unfortunately, multiple crimes or multiple attacks or attempts before something like that is finally put to an end," said Barker. Garcia-Torres is also being investigated for the 2009 assaults at a Safeway parking lot. abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?%20sec...bay&id=8692857 |
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Post by meme on Jul 12, 2012 14:07:46 GMT -5
Reward Raised to $35,000 For Information In Sierra Lamar Case By: Ja'Mein Beale - Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:55:34 -0800 MORGAN HILL (KRON)--The parents of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra Lamar have announced a $35,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of their daughter who disappeared nearly three months ago. At about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Steve and Marlene Lamar announce the increase in the reward for Sierra's safe return or for information leading to the successful prosecution of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance. Authorities say Sierra vanished on March 16 as she walked to a bus stop to go to school. Despite the arrest of Antolin Garcia-Torres for Sierra's kidnapping and murder, the teen's parents remain hopeful that she will be found alive. Volunteers with the KlaasKids Foundation plan to hold another search for Sierra on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Garcia-Torres has yet to enter a plea on the charges and is not scheduled to be formally arraigned until at least July 10. Authorities say despite his DNA being found on Sierra's belongings that were recovered shortly after her disappearance, Garcia-Torres has steadfastly denied kidnapping and murdering the high school cheerleader. Stay tuned to KRON 4 and KRON4.com for complete coverage on the search for Sierra Lamar and the case against Antolin Garcia-Torres. www.kron4.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=4363 |
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Post by meme on Jul 24, 2012 16:00:21 GMT -5
Torres' father held to answer for child molestation, rape Wednesday, July 11, 2012 MORGAN HILL, Calif. (KGO) -- The father of the man accused of murdering a Morgan Hill teenager appeared in court himself Wednesday. A judge found enough evidence to try Genaro Garcia Fernandez for sexual assault charges. Garcia Fernandez is the father of Antolin Garcia Torres who's charged in the murder of Sierra LaMar. Garcia Fernandez was arrested last July on numerous counts of sexual child molestation. A little more than nine months later, Sierra disappeared, and now his son is charged with her murder. Garcia Fernandez is accused of crimes which could send him to prison for the rest of his life. His son is accused of a murder which makes him eligible for the death penalty. The journey of father and son have collided in the court system. "It sometimes is passed on and sometimes it is not," said Deputy District Attorney Murat Ozgur. "It's one of those things that is very much unpredictable, just like sexual abuse itself." Prosecutors say Garcia Torres kidnapped and murdered 15-year-old Sierra in March. His father is now accused of crimes that date back decades. Investigators arrested Garcia Fernandez last year for raping and sexually molesting a family member starting in 1990 when she was between the ages of 5 and 14. A very young Garcia Torres heard about the accusations during a family confrontation when the abuse was happening, but at the time, Garcia Fernandez denied everything by swearing on a Bible before his family. Ozgur says abusers are often convincing. "They will swear to God, they will swear on their family, they will swear on their mother, they will swear on everything, and that denial is very, very common," he said. Detectives say last year, Garcia Fernandez confessed to the crimes in a recorded phone conversation and even wrote a letter of apology to his victim. In powerful testimony Wednesday, the now-adult woman said she came forward last year because she was afraid another generation of young girls in the family could become victims as well. "They have now a new family member that may be exposed to this risk that oftentimes does trigger a disclosure," said Ozgur. The judge ordered Garcia Fernandez to be held to answer on 25 counts of child molestation, including seven counts of raping a young girl. abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=8733195 |
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Post by meme on Aug 6, 2012 14:46:04 GMT -5
Garcia Torres' plea hearing postponed to Aug. 29 Defendant in Sierra LaMar murder case subpoenaed Verizon records Antolin Garcia Torres Sierra LaMar search center volunteer Emma Spencer, from San Jose, stands outside the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose after a hearing Tuesday for Antolin Garcia Torres, the Morgan Hill man accused of killing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar. Posted: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 12:08 pm | Updated: 4:30 pm, Thu Aug 2, 2012. Antolin Garcia Torres’ appearance in court was waived for his hearing in San Jose Tuesday, and the judge scheduled an Aug. 29 court date to discuss the murder suspect’s request for unspecified records from Verizon that could be related to the disappearance of Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar. Garcia Torres, 21 of Morgan Hill, who is accused of kidnapping and killing the 15-year-old sometime between the morning of March 16 and his arrest May 21, was represented by his attorney from the Santa Clara County alternate defender’s office and did not appear at the hearing at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose Tuesday. His attorney did not enter a plea on Garcia Torres’ behalf, though the proceeding was scheduled as a plea hearing. Garcia Torres is scheduled to enter a plea at the Aug. 29 hearing, at 2 p.m. He remains in custody at Santa Clara County Jail without bail. Prosecutors for the district attorney’s office and lawyers for Garcia Torres briefly discussed with Superior Court Judge Jerome Nadler the rescheduling of the plea proceeding, and vaguely mentioned a records subpoena issued by the defendant. That subpoena was related to a records request to Verizon, a widely-used telecommunications service, according to Santa Clara County deputy district attorney David Boyd. He said he did not know exactly what records were requested in the subpoena. A defense attorney and legal analyst who is not involved with the case said outside the courthouse that the D.A.’s office was not notified of the defense subpoena before Tuesday’s hearing, but it seemed to be merely an “oversight.” The analyst, Steven Clark, who attended the hearing, added that the court and attorneys are unlikely to publicly specify what Verizon records were requested until future hearings, and he “wouldn’t be surprised” to see even the Aug. 29 plea hearing continued again. “The more information that comes out (before the trial), the more likely there will be a change of venue,” Clark said. He noted the subpoena is likely part of the defense investigation of the case, which is ongoing for both sides. Boyd added that attorneys in criminal cases are not always informed when a subpoena is issued by the other side, but in this instance the issue will be discussed at the next hearing. Garcia Torres’ attorney from the county’s alternate defender’s office, Alfonso Lopez, did not immediately return a phone call. The suspect’s mother, Laura Torres, and wife Francine attended Tuesday’s hearing. They left the courthouse afterwards surrounded by a group of unknown supporters, without speaking to the media. Garcia Torres is charged with murder, with a special circumstance of kidnapping in relation to Sierra’s disappearance. Sierra has been missing since March 16. Police think she was kidnapped that morning as she was walking from her mother’s home to her daily school bus stop near the intersection of Palm and Dougherty avenues. She was a sophomore at Sobrato High School at the time of her disappearance. Investigators have not found Sierra’s body or a murder weapon. Detectives from the sheriff’s office and volunteers from Morgan Hill and surrounding areas continue to search for her remains or any clues indicating what happened to her. “We want closure for her,” said Renee Figueira of San Jose, a volunteer who has helped in the search efforts since shortly after Sierra’s disappearance. “We wish (Garcia Torres) would just tell us where she is.” While in the early days of the search hundreds of volunteers showed up for daily search efforts organized by Sierra’s family and the KlaasKids Foundation, Figueira said there remains a core group of about 40 volunteers who continue to search every Wednesday and Saturday. Other volunteers who attended Tuesday’s hearing brought T-shirts to the courthouse with an image of a flyer with Sierra’s picture printed on the front, but court security did not allow them to bring the garments inside the courtroom, according to volunteer David Benoit of Milpitas. “Everybody was told on the way in not to wear any Sierra regalia,” said Benoit, 50. Benoit said the volunteers were not planning to wear the shirts inside the courtroom, but rather outside to display their support for the missing teen and her family. Authorities returned the T-shirts to the volunteers when the hearing was over, and Benoit and others wore them outside the courthouse. In addition to helping to search for Sierra, Benoit, 50, helps organize efforts “peripheral” to the search, such as a booth set up outside last weekend’s Gilroy Garlic Festival to raise awareness of the case and hand out flyers. When the volunteers asked festival organizers if they could set up the booth inside the festival, they were told that all the vendor spaces had been filled since March, Benoit said. In response, he organized an online petition, on the website change.org, to convince the festival to allow the searchers to have a booth inside the event gates. As of Tuesday morning, the petition garnered about 280 signatures. “We want to show support for her family, and let (Garcia Torres) know there’s a community out here that is not going to accept this anymore,” said Benoit. Wearing a custom-made T-shirt showing support for Sierra, different from those donned by most of the other volunteers who remained outside the courthouse after Tuesday’s hearing, was Emma Spencer of San Jose, also a steadfast volunteer in the search effort. Spencer wore the T-shirt through courthouse security and into the courtroom Tuesday, and remained outside the building after the proceeding. The front of the T-shirt said in an ornamental cursive font, “Team Sierra” and “Never Giving Up.” The back of the garment said “Everyone’s Daughter.” She said the garment is intended to signify her and other volunteers’ continuing devotion to the search for Sierra. “We’re not going to give up hope,” said Spencer. www.gilroydispatch.com/articles_from_morgan_hill/garcia-torres-plea-hearing-postponed-to-aug/article_d326d776-7edb-5f55-ae74-aebd5f675a58.html |
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Post by meme on Aug 6, 2012 14:47:30 GMT -5
UPDATE: Sierra LaMar Murder Suspect Waives Appearance, Plea Delayed Until Aug. 29 Antolin Garcia-Torres' defense attorney subpoenaed unknown cell phone records, which are under seal. July 31, 2012 Sierra LaMar murder and kidnapping suspect Antolin Garcia-Torres waived his right to appear in court today. Instead, attorneys representing the suspect asked that his plea hearing be postponed yet again as they subpoena cell phone records now under seal. During a court hearing Tuesday morning in Department 23 of the San Jose Hall of Justice, Judge Jerome Nadler set the case's next hearing for August 29 at 2 p.m. for a possible plea entering, and for a so-called subpoena duces tecum hearing, or the production of evidence. The brief proceeding, heavily attended by media and families and supporters of Sierra LaMar's family, lasted only a few minutes. Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney David Boyd declined to speak to reporters as he walked out of the courtroom. Garcia-Torres is facing a charge of murder with the special circumstance of kidnapping. Authorities believe the 21-year-old Morgan Hill resident kidnapped and murdered local teenager Sierra LaMar, 15, who was last seen the morning of March 16. Criminal attorney and legal analyst Steven Clark, present during the proceeding, explained that the defense has subpoeaned Verizon cell phone records from the court, and that the prosecution wasn't made aware of that request, as required. Boyd objected to their release. The matter could be heard during the next court date, Clark said, adding that the prosecution will now review those records. When asked about the continuing plea delay, Clark said there's a mountain of evidence to go over, not just about Garcia-Torres, but about the way the investigation was conducted, and attorneys need time to review those documents. The plea triggers many timelines in the case, Clark said, and the defense wants to keep that in information in their pocket until they need it. He felt that was the reason a plea was not entered on Tuesday. Clark feels the defense's maneuver not to bring Garcia-Torres into the courtroom is an interesting turn in the case. "That suggests they're satisfied with his presentation at the last court date. Knowing that this is heavily covered, they don't want additional video of their client presented." Regarding the length of time the defense can exercise without entering a plea, Clark said the judge will give Garcia-Torres' attorneys a lot of latitude in the case. "There's a recognition that this is a huge investigation that is continuing, is very fluid," he said. "The judge will give them all the time they need." The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office filed a criminal complaint against Garcia-Torres based on circumstantial evidence and DNA traces found on the victim’s clothing and in the suspect’s red, Volkswagen Jetta. Santa Clara County Deputy Alternate Public Defender Traci Owens was assigned to represent Garcia-Torres after the suspect’s previous defense attorney, Ken Mandel, declared a conflict of interest and asked to be removed the case. Due to the change in defense attorneys, the judge will also allow time for Garcia-Torres' new legal counsel to properly prepare for the case. "I wouldn't be surprised to see this delayed again [on Aug. 29]," Clark said. Garcia-Torres appeared in court on May 31. Instead of entering a plea on the charge of murder with the special circumstance of kidnapping, he waived his arraignment and, subsequently, his right to a speedy trial. Meanwhile, dozens of Sierra LaMar searchers attended the hearing, many wearing T-shirts with a black-and-white photo of the missing teen, the words "Keep Hope Alive" emblazoned on them. Debbie Nunes said she lives close to Marlene LaMar's home in Morgan Hill and has been faithfully participating in searches for the missing teen along with about 70 volunteers, the number's dwindling from a high of 800 searchers when the teen was first reported missing in March. "I'm here to support the family. I'll continue to search and come out to all the court dates," Nunes said. "I have children. I'm a mother and every day we drive by the bus stop where she was supposed to be that morning." Similarly, Kelly Bessette said as a mother she felt a need to show support and provide continued prayers for Sierra's return. Attending the hearing Tuesday was Garcia-Torres' mother and two sisters, who declined to speak to reporters. Sierra's mother Marlene did not attend the hearing, as she was away with daughter Danielle on a family trip, according to a close friend. Sierra's father Steve LaMar, who lives in Fremont, was also not present during the hearing. Regina DiMaggio, another friend of the LaMar family, said she's been offering support through a ribbon tribute program to help families facing loss of their loved ones through tragic cases such as murders and disappereances. She said she began her project with the Laci Peterson murder in 2002. "We decided as a family to help them [Laci's family] by offering a ribbon tribute that went nationwide over 50 states ... that was a small way of support for families with missing children... " After the tribute, families contacted DiMaggio online and asked her to do this for them to help them keep their hope alive. "It's a way to show support while they're waiting for their loved one to come home," DiMaggio said. milpitas.patch.com/articles/sierra-lamar-murder-suspect-waives-appearance-plea-delayed-until-aug-29 |
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Post by meme on Aug 6, 2012 15:02:20 GMT -5
Sierra LaMar murder suspect does not enter plea, hearing continued to Aug. 29 Posted: 07/31/2012 08:54:39 AM PDT July 31, 2012 5:12 PM GMTUpdated: 07/31/2012 10:12:24 AM PDT A hearing for the suspect in the Sierra LaMar murder case was continued until Aug. 29. Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, was scheduled to enter a plea during a court hearing this morning, but he did not appear. Supporters of the family of missing teenager Sierra LaMar held hands and prayed this morning before the hearing. Garcia-Torres has been held without bail in the Santa Clara County jail since his arrest in May on a charge of murder with the special circumstance of kidnapping. |
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Post by meme on Aug 29, 2012 18:18:57 GMT -5
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Post by meme on Sept 25, 2012 18:26:16 GMT -5
Plea Entry in Sierra LaMar Case Could Be Delayed Several Months Next court date is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 in Department 23 of the San Jose Hall of Justice. September 18, 2012 Sierra LaMar murder and kidnapping suspect Antolin Garcia-Torres is scheduled to appear in court at 2 p.m. Sept. 26 in Department 23 of the San Jose Hall of Justice to once again possibly enter a plea. A hearing on Aug. 29 continued the proceedings, with his appearance waived just as was done on July 31, according to Santa Clara County prosecutor David Boyd. Garcia-Torres waived arraignment—the advisement of the charges brought against him—in May, and then on July 31 and Aug. 29 he didn't appear in court. He's been appointed Santa Clara County Public Defender Traci Owens to represent him. "They are very standard, routine ... it happens all the time in criminal cases," Boyd said after explaining the reasons for the delay in the plea entering. "It's on for entry of plea [on Sept. 26] ... where he'll either say guilty, which is highly unlikely, or not guilty." Boyd said prosecutors have not yet decided whether they'll seek the death penalty for Garcia-Torres, 21, accused of kidnapping and murdering local teenager Sierra LaMar, 15, who was last seen March 16 on her way to catch the morning bus to Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill. "I'm not prepared to talk about this right now," Boyd said. "I'm not in charge of the death penalty protocol. I'm not prepared to answer that question." The prosecutor said the plea-entering hearing will most likely be delayed many times as Garcia-Torres' attorney need time. Criminal attorney and legal analyst Steven Clark, who's been present during the proceedings, explained the plea triggers many timelines in the case. Once entered, Garcia-Torres can either "waive time," or not, which means the preliminary hearing could take place 10 days after the entering of the plea. Clark said the defense could try to get a quick prelminary hearing by delaying the entering of the plea and then getting the preliminary hearing 10 days after such motion. "You don't want to enter a plea until you have to," Clark said. Presiding Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Jerome Nadler is also not going to force the defense to enter the plea, allowing the defense to continue as long as practical considering that the case is quite complicated and that the voluminous investigation is ongoing, Clark explained. Unlike judges in other counties who will ask for a plea by a certain time, Judge Nadler will not require the defense to enter the plea by a specific date, he noted. "They [the defense] could go on for several more months," Clark said. "This is just a monumental investigation. This is not a routine murder case. It's a very complicated case in which there are multiple levels of the investigation ... This case is far from being resolved because they're still looking for the body." Clark indicated the public defender will also want to discuss other issues with Garcia-Torres such as mental health matters before entering a plea. When the plea is entered, Boyd will have to prove during the preliminary hearing that Garcia-Torres by a "reasonable sufficient standard" committed the crime. "The DA will have to put on enough evidence to hold the defendant to answer for trial that's not beyond a reasonable doubt," Clark said. About the death penalty, Clark said the DA'sOffice has a group of senior prosecutors who would review such a request should it be warranted and possible to obtain. One of the factors in whether prosecutors would pursue capital punishment is input from the victim's family because as soon as it's sought, the case could go on for decades before a final resolution due to appeals. "A lot of families don't want to have that lingering kind of litigation ... ," Clark said. Garcia-Torres, who lived with his mother, pregnant girlfriend and child a few miles away from LaMar's home on Maple Leaf RV Park on Monterey Road, is being held at the Santa Clara County Jail without bail. Searches for LaMar continue all over South County on Saturdays, with Wednesday searches recently discontinued. County sheriff's investigators allege Garcia-Torres' DNA was found on the girl's clothing and her DNA found in the suspect's Volkswagen Jetta. He was arrested May 21 at Tennant Avenue and Monterey Road in Morgan Hill outside the Safeway store where he was formerly employed losgatos.patch.com/articles/entering-of-plea-in-sierra-lamar-case-could-be-delayed-several-months |
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Post by meme on Sept 25, 2012 18:27:09 GMT -5
Father of murder suspect tried for molesting girls Published: Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012 - 5:26 am SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The father of a man charged with killing a 15-year-old Northern California girl is now on trial for molesting two female relatives. Santa Clara County prosecutors say 51-year-old Genaro Garcia Fernandez began fondling the primary victim when she was 4 years old and he raped her when she was just 7. He's charged with 18 sex crimes. The San Jose Mercury News ( bit.ly/NDBC39) says the molestations took place in the same San Martin home where his 21-year-old son Antolin Garcia-Torres grew up. The younger Garcia-Torres is being held without bail pending trial for the death of Sierra LaMar. The Morgan Hill teenager went missing in March and her body was never found. Authorities say the girl's DNA was found in his car and his DNA was found in her handbag. www.sacbee.com/2012/09/20/4837751/father-of-murder-suspect-tried.html |
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Post by meme on Nov 14, 2012 15:03:40 GMT -5
Sierra LaMar slaying suspect charged in attempted kidnappings November 14, 2012 The man accused of killing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar of Morgan Hill has been charged in three attempted kidnappings at Safeway stores that left a Northern California community on edge. Investigators linked Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, to the three 2009 attacks while investigating the LaMar case, the Mercury News of San Jose reported. Garcia-Torres was 17 at the time of the attacks but will be charged as an adult, the newspaper said. The first incident occurred the evening of March 19, 2009, the Mercury News reported, when a 36-year-old woman told police she noticed a man walking behind her as she left a Safeway on Dunne Avenue in Morgan Hill. The woman said the man began walking faster as she did, and after she got in her car, he tried to open the driver's side door. She had locked it, however, and drove away. A few hours later, at another Safeway store about two miles away, a man attacked a 46-year-old woman as she got into her car, hitting her head with his fist and using a stun gun on her head and neck, the newspaper reported. The man ran when a passerby approached the vehicle after hearing the woman's screams. Police said the suspect apparently got into the vehicle through an unlocked door. The third attack occurred a week later, back at the Dunne Avenue Safeway, the Mercury News reported. An 18-year-old woman told police that after she parked behind the store, a man got into the back seat of her car. At the time, she was getting a pocket knife from her glove box — protection she carried after hearing of the first two attacks. The man grabbed the knife, forced the woman's hand to her throat and placed the blade to her neck, the newspaper said. He hit her leg and "made grunting noises," but as soon as the woman screamed, he jumped out of the car and ran. The string of attacks made some residents afraid to go to the store, the newspaper said, and prompted automated phone alerts from police to "keep residents up to date." After Garcia-Torres — who used to work at a Safeway in Morgan Hill — was arrested on May 21 this year, investigators said DNA evidence connected him to a March 2009 attack, but did not elaborate on the crime. Authorities linked Garcia-Torres to LaMar after finding his DNA on the girl's clothes, which were found neatly folded in a bag not far from where she was last seen. The high school cheerleader vanished the morning of March 16 on her way to school. The teenager's body has not been found, despite extensive searches by both police and volunteers. latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/sierra-lamar-suspect.html |
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Post by meme on Jun 27, 2013 19:32:32 GMT -5
No plea entered for Sierra LaMar murder suspect
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The man accused of murdering missing Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar was in court Thursday morning. Antolin Garcia Torres did not enter a plea during the hearing in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Garcia Torres was arrested in May last year on murder charges, even though LaMar's body has not been found. She vanished on her way to school two months earlier. Garcia Torres is also charged with attempted kidnapping and carjacking in attacks on three other women in 2009. abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=9154514
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Post by meme on Jul 24, 2013 14:59:14 GMT -5
Sierra LaMar Case Delayed Again, Prosecutors Review New Evidence
July 23, 2013 7:47 PM
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) – The Sierra LaMar murder and kidnap case was delayed in a San Jose courtroom to next month as prosecutors sift through evidence still coming in from law enforcement agencies, a prosecutor said Tuesday. Santa Clara County Judge Sharon Chatman set a new hearing for Aug. 22 to review the status of evidence sent by the district attorney’s office to lawyers for murder defendant Antolin Garcia Torres. Garcia Torres, 21, was charged back on May 31, 2012, with murder and kidnapping with special circumstances after the 15-year-old Sierra vanished outside her home near Morgan Hill on March 16, 2012. Deputy District Attorney Brian Walsh told Chatman that evidence and information gathered by investigators is being delivered to Garcia Torres’ defense attorneys, Traci Owens and Alfonso Lopez. “We continue to turn over discovery,” Walsh said. “We have not yet completed the process.” Garcia Torres, dressed in a light brown suit and occasionally peering at the courtroom audience, listened as his attorneys, who seemed to anticipate the postponement, agreed on the hearing date. Outside of court, Walsh said the prosecution is still receiving information about the case from the district attorney’s crime laboratory, the FBI and the sheriff’s office. Garcia Torres has yet to enter a plea in the murder-kidnap case more than a year after being charged. Prosecutors have combined the charges with other allegations, filed in November, that Garcia Torres assaulted three women on March 19 and March 26, 2012, in Safeway parking lots in Morgan Hill, Walsh said. “It’s a complicated case and there is just a voluminous amount of discovery that is generated in a case of this nature,” Walsh said. The sheriff’s office is also following up on leads and searches for clues about the missing teen, he said. “The case is top priority with our office,” Walsh said. Sheriff’s deputies arrested Garcia Torres on May 21 of last year after detectives reported finding DNA believed to be Sierra’s inside his red Volkswagen Jetta. Volunteers have organized searches on Saturday for Sierra in the Morgan Hill area, some repelling down the sides of mountains and at least one donning diving gear to look in local reservoirs and creeks, lead volunteer Doug Tollis said. Tollis was among 10 supporters of Sierra who attended today’s hearing, some expressing frustration with the months of delays in the case related to pretrial discovery issues. So far, volunteers have participated in about 360 searches for Sierra, with some people traveling from Malibu and Hollywood in Southern California to join them, Tollis said. The searches at times yield potential clues, such as bones and clothing that volunteers bag and take to the sheriff’s office, but “they don’t tell us anything” about them, Tollis said. Search crews, usually from 9 to 16 people, have stumbled onto marijuana grow operations in remote areas and people have pointed and even fired guns at them, Tollis said. The sheriff’s office recovered Sierra’s San Jose Sharks jersey, designer purse, headphones and cellphone soon after she went missing, but volunteers are the only ones still looking, Tollis said. “If it wasn’t for us, there wouldn’t be a search,” Tollis said. He said he expected the case to be delayed for about two more months as sheriff’s deputies continue to pursue leads and turn new information over to prosecutors, Tollis said. sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/0 ... -san-jose/
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Post by meme on Jul 27, 2013 13:46:06 GMT -5
18 Court Hearings Later, Still No Plea In Sierra LaMar Murder Case
Posted: Jul 24, 2013 8:31 PM CDT Updated: Jul 24, 2013 8:51 PM CDT SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The man accused of murdering and kidnapping a Morgan Hill teenager still has not entered a plea, although he has had more than a dozen court hearings. Antolin Garcia-Torres has had 18 court hearings in the death of Sierra LaMar who vanished in March of 2012. Attorneys not connected to the case tell Central Coast News it is not unusual for cases like these to go move at this pace. "It's a highly unique case. It's very complicated. The body hasn't been found," said Jose Angel Velasquez, a defense attorney with more than 25 years of legal experience. Velasquez said there likely are very good reasons for the delays, including the need to gather more evidence. He said the prosecution and the defense could have legitimate reasons, and that the delay in court hearings isn't favoring one side of the other. Even if LaMar's body was found, he said that doesn't necessarily mean the case would go any faster. Garcia-Torres will appear in court again on Aug. 22. Central Coast News was still waiting to hear back from the prosecution and defense of this case as of Wedneday night. Here are his previous court hearings: May 24, 2012 May 31, 2012 June 7, 2012 July 10, 2012 July 31, 2012 Aug. 29, 2012 Sept. 26, 2012 Oct. 30, 2012 Nov. 14, 2012 Dec. 10, 2012 Dec. 12, 2012 Feb. 6, 2013 Feb. 20, 2013 April 4, 2013 April 18, 2013 May 16, 2013 June 27, 2013 July 23, 2013 www.kionrightnow.com/story/22926220/18-court-hearings-later-still-no-plea-in-sierra-lamar-murder-case
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Post by meme on Aug 15, 2013 18:35:05 GMT -5
Sierra Lamar Evidence Still under Investigation
Murder and kidnap case's delayed once again, next hearing set for Aug. 22.
The Sierra LaMar murder and kidnap case was delayed in a San Jose courtroom Tuesday to next month as prosecutors sift through evidence still coming in from law enforcement agencies, a prosecutor said. Santa Clara County Judge Sharon Chatman set a new hearing for Aug. 22 to review the status of evidence sent by the district attorney's office to lawyers for murder defendant Antolin Garcia Torres. Garcia Torres, 21, was charged back on May 31, 2012, with murder and kidnapping with special circumstances after the 15-year-old Sierra vanished outside her home near Morgan Hill on March 16, 2012. Deputy District Attorney Brian Walsh told Chatman that evidence and information gathered by investigators is being delivered to Garcia Torres' defense attorneys, Traci Owens and Alfonso Lopez. "We continue to turn over discovery," Walsh said. "We have not yet completed the process." Garcia Torres, dressed in a light brown suit and occasionally peering at the courtroom audience, listened as his attorneys, who seemed to anticipate the postponement, agreed on the hearing date. Outside of court, Walsh said the prosecution is still receiving information about the case from the district attorney's crime laboratory, the FBI and the sheriff's office. Garcia Torres has yet to enter a plea in the murder-kidnap case more than a year after being charged. Prosecutors have combined the charges with other allegations, filed in November, that Garcia Torres assaulted three women on March 19 and March 26, 2012, in Safeway parking lots in Morgan Hill, Walsh said. "It's a complicated case and there is just a voluminous amount of discovery that is generated in a case of this nature," Walsh said. The sheriff's office is also following up on leads and searches for clues about the missing teen, he said. "The case is top priority with our office," Walsh said. Sheriff's deputies arrested Garcia Torres on May 21 of last year after detectives reported finding DNA believed to be Sierra's inside his red Volkswagen Jetta. Volunteers have organized searches on Saturday for Sierra in the Morgan Hill area, some repelling down the sides of mountains and at least one donning diving gear to look in local reservoirs and creeks, lead volunteer Doug Tollis said. Tollis was among 10 supporters of Sierra who attended Tuesday's hearing, some expressing frustration with the months of delays in the case related to pretrial discovery issues. So far, volunteers have participated in about 360 searches for Sierra, with some people traveling from Malibu and Hollywood in Southern California to join them, Tollis said. The searches at times yield potential clues, such as bones and clothing that volunteers bag and take to the sheriff's office, but "they don't tell us anything" about them, Tollis said. Search crews, usually from 9 to 16 people, have stumbled onto marijuana grow operations in remote areas and people have pointed and even fired guns at them, Tollis said. The sheriff's office recovered Sierra's San Jose Sharks jersey, designer purse, headphones and cellphone soon after she went missing, but volunteers are the only ones still looking, Tollis said. "If it wasn't for us, there wouldn't be a search," Tollis said. He said he expected the case to be delayed for about two more months as sheriff's deputies continue to pursue leads and turn new information over to prosecutors, Tollis said. gilroy.patch.com/groups/breaking-news/p/sierra-lamar-evidence-still-under-investigation
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Post by meme on Mar 9, 2014 18:56:51 GMT -5
Dive Team Searches South Bay Lake for Sierra Lamar, Missing Morgan Hill Teen Thursday, Feb 6, 2014 Updated 6:54 PM PST There is new hope in the search for a Morgan Hill teenager who went missing nearly two years ago. A Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office dive team returned to a South Bay lake Thursday, looking for evidence in the case of 15-year-old Sierra Lamar, who disappeared while on her way to school. Official word from the sheriff's headquarters is that the divers were training when NBC Bay Area spotted them Wednesday. But sources close to the case said the divers were actually looking for evidence in the case. NBC Bay Area is not naming the lake or its location to protect the integrity of the investigation. "They're out here doing something," said Mark Garcia, a private investigator helping the Lamar family find Sierra. Sources tell NBC Bay Area divers are using a new, powerful sonar that allows them to better locate a body in murky waters. "These guys are the best of the best, the sheriff's dive team," Garcia said. "That's a nice piece of equipment they have." Sources also said Thursday was the second time divers were at the particular lake -- a lake that is of high interest to investigators. Legal analyst Steven Clark said a murder conviction without a body is extremely difficult. "It is critical to the prosecution because as long as Sierra's body is not found, the defense is going to say this is a missing persons case," Clark said. www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Sierra-Lamar-Search-Dive-Team-Looks-in-South-Bay-Lake-for-Missing-Morgan-Hill-Teen-244071291.html |
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Post by meme on Mar 9, 2014 18:59:23 GMT -5
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Post by meme on Mar 9, 2014 19:00:14 GMT -5
Antolin Garcia-Torres, Suspect in Sierra LaMar Murder, Pleads Not Gulity Antolin Garcia-Torres, the 22-year-old man charged with kidnapping and murdering Morgan Hill teenager Sierra Lamar, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing in Santa Clara County Superior Court Thursday afternoon. The arraignment came after Garcia-Torres was indicted by a criminal grand jury earlier this week on charges of murder and kidnapping for the Sierra Lamar case. DOWNLOAD: Read the indictment against Garcia-Torres He was also indicted on three counts of attempted kidnapping and carjacking for separate incidents in 2009 in which he allegedly accosted three women outside South Bay supermarkets. "He looked nervous," said Doug Tollis, a volunteer with Team Sierra. "We want him to be nervous." Tollis was one of dozens of volunteers who have been searching for Sierra that attended Thursday's hearing. Sierra's family were not in court. After Garcia-Torres' plea entry, Judge Thang Barrett set a hearing for April 16 to schedule a trial date and to hear the defense's motion to keep the grand jury transcript sealed. Sierra, 15, disappeared the morning of March 16, 2012, after leaving home for school. Her body has not yet been found but prosecutors allege she was murdered. www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Sierra-LaMar-Suspect-Pleads-Not-Guilty-245446621.html# |
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Post by meme on Oct 21, 2014 19:17:44 GMT -5
People vs. Antolin Garcia-Torres
Case Information: Case Number: C1233134 Case Title: People vs. Antolin Garcia-Torres Filing Date: May 24, 2012 Upcoming Court Dates at the Hall of Justice: November 12, 2014 , 1:30 p.m., Department 24 High Profile Case Documents: Click on the document description in the table below to view the document. Date Filed 9/10/14 Document Minute Order www.scscourt.org/general_info...a-torres.shtml
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