Her body has never been found, but Sierra LaMar’s suspected killer remains in a South Bay jail, and after countless delays, a trial date has finally been set.
LaMar’s family and longtime supporters were stunned and relieved on Wednesday when Judge Thang Barrett set a trial date of April 25, 2016, for Antolin Garcia-Torres.
Garcia-Torres looked composed in court Wednesday. He is accused of murdering the 15-year-old in Morgan Hill on March 16, 2012. Her body has never been found.
LaMar’s father told NBC Bay Area the judge’s decision to set a date is good news, even as the defense vows to keep fighting.
“I think it’s good, another baby step along the way,” Steve LaMar said. ”Any progress like this makes all of us in the family happy.”
The Sierra LaMar Murder Trial in Images
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Garcia-Torres’ attorney David Epps said there are some “serious problems” with the case “that have been there since the beginning.”
LaMar's family gave up searching for her body earlier this year.
