San Jose

Judge Postpones Plea Hearing for San Jose Murder Suspect

The man accused of brutally killing a San Jose woman in her own home was set to enter a plea in Santa Clara County Court Friday but a judge postponed the hearing because his public defender says he had just received evidence in the case on Thursday.

Carlos Arevalo Carranza, 24, is charged with the murder of 59-year-old Bambi Larson and being that he is a transient from El Salvador, his crime put the city of San Jose back in the sanctuary policy debate.

Carranza's attorney said Friday that his client is significantly mentally ill, but family and friends of Larson argue that regardless of Carranza's mental wellness, he shouldn't have been in the country as an undocumented immigrant who has committed crimes.

"He’s not currently in 8th floor mental health unit, as far as whether he’s getting appropriate mental health I’m subpoenaing records to see," public defender Miguel Rodriguez said.

San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia said that Carranza stalked Larson for some time before beating and stabbing her to death on Feb. 28. as neighbors' surveillance video shows Carranza walking to and from her home the day of her death.

Immigrant officials and San Jose police both said he should not have been on the streets.

"If he already had priors, been deported he shouldn’t have been back if he was back with those charges. This wasn’t wrong place wrong time," Celeste Delamore, who identified herself as Larson's friend, said.

ICE reported that agents tried to deport Carranza nine times before but their retained requests were not honored by Santa Clara and Los Angeles Counties.

An ICE agent reported that he was convicted of 10 crimes in three years.

Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith issued a statement saying that ICE should’ve had time to evaluate Carranza’s status as a serious and violent felon and that she would advocate to change county sanctuary policy.

Carranza is expected back in court on June 14, after his lawyer reviews all the evidence.

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