Overview
- The Sixth District Court of Appeal reversed all 2017 convictions for Antolin Garcia‑Torres, ruling it was prejudicial to try the Sierra LaMar case with unrelated 2009 attempted‑kidnapping charges.
- The court found insufficient evidence for willful, deliberate, premeditated murder or specific intent to kill, but said evidence supports felony‑murder theories and that LaMar died as a result of a criminal act.
- The opinion allows a new trial but bars prosecutors from pursuing premeditation or specific‑intent theories if they refile.
- The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said it stands by its investigation and continues to pursue leads to find LaMar.
- The District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the ruling and has not decided on a retrial, and Garcia‑Torres remains incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison.