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The trial for Sierra LaMar’s suspected murderer will remain in Santa Clara County, despite his attorneys’ plea for a change of venue.
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Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Vanessa Zecher ruled Aug. 25 on defendant Antolin Garcia Torres’ motion, which was argued in court last week.
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“The court does not find that there is a reasonable likelihood that the defendant would be unable to receive a fair trial in Santa Clara County,” reads Zecher’s order. “Defendant’s motion for a change of venue is denied without prejudice.”
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Garcia Torres’ attorneys wanted the judge to change the trial venue due to the abundance of press the case, which dates back to Sierra’s disappearance in 2012, has received throughout Santa Clara County and beyond. Such attention might prevent the defendant from receiving a fair trial, according to the defense motion.
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Garcia Torres, 24 of Morgan Hill, has been in custody at Santa Clara County Jail since his arrest in May 2012. He is accused of kidnapping and killing Sierra in March 2012, when she was a 15-year-old sophomore at Sobrato High School.
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Sierra disappeared March 16, 2012, while walking to her school bus stop near the intersection of Palm and Dougherty avenues in north Morgan Hill. Her remains have not been found, but investigators think she was murdered.
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During a 2014 grand jury hearing, investigators revealed they found Garcia Torres’ DNA on Sierra’s belongings, which were found on the roadside in her former neighborhood on Palm Avenue. They also say they found Sierra’s DNA inside Garcia Torres’ Volkswagen Jetta after the teen was reported missing.
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Garcia Torres is also charged with three unrelated attempted carjackings in 2009, in the parking lots of two Safeway stores in Morgan Hill.
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The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty for Garcia Torres.
Jury selection for Garcia Torres’ trial could begin in late September, according to authorities.
