SANTA CLARA COUNTY (KRON) — Closing arguments continue Wednesday morning in the trial of the man accused of kidnapping and killing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar.
Santa Clara County prosecutors allege that Antolin Garcia-Torres, 26, murdered 15-year-old Sierra LaMar in 2012.
The trial is wrapping up after almost three months of witness testimony, including discussion of the physical evidence key to the no-body case.
Garcia-Torres was arrested after LaMar’s DNA was found in the trunk his car and on her clothes, which were recovered in a field near her house outside Morgan Hill. The defense disputed this and is arguing that she was a runaway.
If convicted, the jury could impose the death penalty on Garcia-Torres, who has two children and has been in custody since May 21, 2012.
KRON4’s Rob Fladeboe is at the courthouse to bring us the latest updates:
DNA The star in Sierra LaMar trial. It’s “messy, complicated and subject to interpretation” says defense as it attacks forensic evidence pic.twitter.com/BCrGNi9i0P
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
“Shame bucket” full. A red ball for each piece of ‘shame evidence’ as defense tries to shame case against alleged killer of #SierraLaMar pic.twitter.com/27us2NFYTr
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
#SierraLaMar jury shown animation suggesting defendant passed bus stop well before Sierra LaMar got there. “There was no encounter” pic.twitter.com/9Fv2ITXrzN
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
Another ball in “bucket of shame” as def. slams evidence but short on details. Jury about to see “timeline video” said to support def case pic.twitter.com/uFc0s9SpmY
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
No body. No crime scene. No weapon. No witnesses. No evidence. No murder. Def says Antolin Garcia Torres and Sierra LaMar never met. pic.twitter.com/AND7dxlaxL
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
Now defense referencing “top ten list” of reasons why their is no evidence Antolin Garcia Torres killed #SierraLamar. pic.twitter.com/rwdVzFRUs8
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
Def. in #SierraLaMar trial using prop. ‘Shame bucket’. A ball in the bucket for each piece of inconclusive “shame evidence”. 3 so far. pic.twitter.com/BYVkFSkYhl
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
Closing arguments from defense now underway in #SierraLaMar case. Atty Al Lopez begins w/ reminder about rules concerning “burden of proof.” pic.twitter.com/2tMVUiiXOp
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
Prosecution closing arguments in #SierraLaMar trial concluded. #AntolinGarciaTorres atty Al Lopez will argue for defense after brief recess pic.twitter.com/rHdcPDp8wW
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
DDA David Boyd to jury. “Accept the reasonable and reject the unreasonable.” “Her DNA all that’s left of #SierraLaMar“. “Find him guilty.” pic.twitter.com/ov82QaLRTM
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
“He knows what he did, and you know why.” What he did to #SierraLamar “unspeakable.” pic.twitter.com/uvRmWb52iE
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
Jury in #SierraLamar trial again sees video of post arrest interview w/def. about discovery of his DNA as closing arguments continue. pic.twitter.com/VjkNRUhnJE
— @Rob Fladeboe kron4 (@KRON4RFladeboe) May 3, 2017
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