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Appeals Court Overturns 2017 Sierra LaMar Murder Conviction, Limits Any Retrial

Prosecutors are reviewing the ruling, with any new case restricted to narrower theories than premeditated murder.

Overview

  • The Sixth District Court of Appeal ruled the evidence did not support willful, deliberate and premeditated murder or a specific intent to kill.
  • Justices found prosecutors prejudiced the trial by consolidating unrelated 2009 attempted kidnapping allegations with the 2012 case.
  • The court said Antolin Garcia-Torres may be retried, but not under the overturned premeditated-murder theories.
  • The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said it is evaluating the opinion and reaffirmed its commitment to seek justice for Sierra LaMar.
  • Sierra LaMar disappeared in 2012 and has not been found, and Garcia-Torres remains incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison as the decision is reviewed.