SANTA CLARA COUNTY (KRON) — Sierra LaMar’s convicted killer’s sister testified Tuesday morning during the penalty phase of the murder trial, describing what it was like to live with their alcoholic father.
Antolin Garcia-Torres, 26, was convicted on May 9 of the first-degree murder of the 15-year-old in 2012 as well as the attempted kidnappings of three women in 2009.
The jury will have to decide whether to impose either the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
Garcia-Torres’ older sister, Lucero Garcia, described to the jury how she and her brother were on their own a lot growing up.
Garcia said their father, who is now in prison, was an alcoholic and would often hit their mother in from of them.
The convicted killer’s sister also told the jury that her father molested her from age five to 15.
The latest from KRON4’s Rob Fladeboe:
Martin Jimenez latest of several witnesses to tell about sorry state of defendant’s childhood home. Holes in walls, faulty plumbing. pic.twitter.com/RXpgJqh8xi
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
Back on the record in #SierraLaMar trial. Martin Jimenez, Partner of #GarciaTorres mother Laura on stand. pic.twitter.com/YBLoXu6rB4
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
After brief recess, jury hearing testimony from Teresa Miyuara neighbor of Garcia Torres family. #Antolin “always respectful.” pic.twitter.com/EpPQavHd81
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
“He’s my blood, he’s my brother.” #AntolinGarciaTorres sister Lucero, in tears now, says brother’s possible death sentence “not fair.” pic.twitter.com/N767wArAHh
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
Lucero Garcia crying as she relates time when brother Antolin comforted her after she called cops on father and moved out of house. pic.twitter.com/bM41eLZqmT
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
Testimony resumes. #GarciaTorres sister Lucero says childhood home life was “hostile.” “Alcoholic, abusive father too much.” pic.twitter.com/S1F54gSKc8
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#SierraLaMar trial. After series of objections from pros. over questioning of Def’s sister Lucero, judges calls sidebar away from jury. pic.twitter.com/k1XqOD5Kh6
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#AntolinGarciaTorres sister Lucero Garcia testifies that their father Genaro (now in prison) molested her from age 5 until age 15. pic.twitter.com/XPl3bx5QXs
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#AntolinGarciaTorres Lucero Garcia says father Genaro was alcoholic. Says he would it wife in front of kids. Lots of screaming pic.twitter.com/gXBsB448zU
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#AntolinGarciaTorres older sister Lucero Garcia on growing up with mom&dad gone a lot: “The responsibility(for Antolin) fell on me.” pic.twitter.com/QIC6yP67M5
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#AntolinGarciaTorres older sister Lucero now on stand. Mom worked a lot. She and older brother Bennie (now deceased) looked after a Antolin pic.twitter.com/Nl1QMiryGX
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#AntolinGarciaTorres Cousin Perla Garcia emotional now. He loved animals. “I don’t remember him being evil.” pic.twitter.com/hgJStELwoX
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#SierraLaMar trial. Next witness. #AntolinGarciaTorres cousin Perla Garcia. Childhood classmates. Says Antolin teased about shabby clothes. pic.twitter.com/4Uop9fBud5
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#GarciaTorres uncle says Antolin’s mother Laura always “sad, stressed out.” Relates story about 8 yr old nephew cooking burgers on BBQ pic.twitter.com/GKkaUVQHNT
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
#AntolinGarciaTorres uncle recalls times when 8 yr old nephew, & siblings home alone, cooking for themselves. Mom working 2 jobs. pic.twitter.com/1lZAyfjp3P
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
Testimony resumes in #SierraLaMar trial. #AntolinGarciaTorres‘ uncle Jose Garcia on stand now. pic.twitter.com/xU1lRfhvPM
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 23, 2017
FULL COVERAGE OF SIERRA LAMAR MURDER TRIAL:
- Defense: Sierra LaMar’s killer was exposed to harmful pesticides
- Antolin Garcia-Torres’ mother gives tearful testimony
- Timeline: Disappearance of Sierra LaMar
- Antolin Garcia-Torres’ family stays silent after guilty verdict
- Safeway parking lot kidnapping attempt victim testifies in Sierra LaMar trial
- Defense: LaMar ‘angry’ about move; would go back to Fremont to ‘party’
- Sierra LaMar Trial: witnesses testify about ‘runaway note’
