Sierra LaMar Murder: Jury Convicts Antolin Garcia-Torres In Death Of 15-Year-Old

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — A Santa Clara County Superior Court jury has found Antolin Garcia-Torres guilty for the first-degree murder of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar in 2012, the court announced Tuesday.

Sierra has not been seen or heard from since March 16, 2012. Garcia-Torres, now 26, was arrested on May 21, 2012, after investigators found his DNA on her jeans, which were recovered near where she went missing outside of Morgan Hill.

Sierra's DNA was also found on an interior backseat door handle and on the outside of a pair of work gloves in Garcia-Torres' vehicle.

Garcia-Torres had previously been convicted of two misdemeanor crimes in 2009 and had been arrested June 16, 2010, for felony battery and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor between Oct. 1, 2009, and June 9, 2010.

The jury, which began deliberating the morning of May 4 after a three-month trial and announced that it had reached a verdict Monday afternoon, also convicted Garcia-Torres of the attempted kidnappings of three women in Safeway parking lots in 2009.

Sierra's mother Marlene LaMar spoke outside of the courthouse of the "sorrow we've experienced every day, that we will continue to experience for the rest of our lives" despite the verdict.

Steve LaMar, Sierra's father, said he felt "a rush of emotions" when the verdict was read.

"All that anticipation, I think it's all pent up, all the years of frustration, not finding answers, not finding her," he said.

Steve LaMar said he was glad the death penalty was still on the table.

The penalty phase of the trial, in which the jury will decide between the death penalty and life in prison without parole, is scheduled to begin May 16.

Previous coverage:

• Sierra LaMar Suspect Charged With Murder; No Bail Set
• Violent Past For Sierra LaMar Kidnap Suspect, Court Records Reveal
• Sierra LaMar Case: Jury Selection Complete, Opening Statements Postponed

Bay City News contributed to this report/Images via Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office