Retrial Begins Monday For Suspect Accused Of Killing Sierra LaMar In 2012. Here's What To Know
Prosecutors will retry Antolin Garcia-Torres after an appellate court overturned his 2017 conviction and barred some murder theories.
- On Monday, Santa Clara County prosecutors began the retrial of Antolin Garcia-Torres, accused of killing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar in 2012, with opening statements in court.
- California's 6th Appellate District Court overturned Garcia-Torres's 2017 conviction in February 2026, ruling that prosecutors improperly consolidated the murder charge with unrelated 2009 kidnapping allegations, unfairly prejudicing the defendant.
- Deputy District Attorney Bryan Kenney argued DNA evidence links Garcia-Torres to the victim, while defense attorney Al Lopez contended the government's case relies on "theory and fear" rather than conclusive proof.
- Judge Brian Buckelew barred prosecutors from presenting premeditated murder theories and excluded DNA consultancy Cybergenetics evidence due to pretrial rulings, while witness testimony begins Tuesday.
- The trial is expected to continue for several months, with defense lawyers planning to introduce testimony about an unidentified gold vehicle to argue another person may have abducted Sierra.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Retrial for man convicted in 2012 murder of Sierra LaMar begins after original conviction overturned
The retrial of Antolin Garcia-Torres, the man accused of kidnapping and killing Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar in 2012, began Monday with opening statements in Santa Clara County court.
Retrial begins for man convicted of killing California teen Sierra LaMar
More than 14 years after a 15-year-old Northern California girl vanished on her way to school, the man previously convicted of kidnapping and murdering her is back on trial after an appeals court overturned his conviction earlier this year. Antolin Garcia-Torres, 35, appeared in a Santa Clara County courtroom Monday for the start of his [...]
Retrial in 2012 Sierra LaMar disappearance gets underway
The second murder trial for Antolin Garcia Torres in connection with the 2012 presumed disappearance and death of Sierra LaMar got fully underway Monday with opening statements, with attorneys set to spar once again about how much can be proven about what happened to the 15-year-old girl.
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