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NewsKRON4 — Bay AreaNovember 2, 2026San Francisco County

Retrial begins for Antolin Garcia-Torres in the 2012 killing of Sierra LaMar

Photo: KRON4 — Bay Area

Opening statements began Monday in the retrial of Antolin Garcia-Torres, whose 2017 murder and kidnapping conviction was overturned earlier this year by an appeals court. Under new trial rules, prosecutors are barred from arguing the killing was willful, deliberate, and premeditated. The proceedings will determine whether Garcia-Torres is exonerated or remains imprisoned for life.

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Read the full story at KRON4 — Bay Area

Why It Matters

The outcome determines if a previously convicted individual serves a life sentence or is following an overturned conviction and subsequent .

Key Facts

  • Opening statements began Monday in the retrial of Antolin Garcia-Torres.
  • Garcia-Torres was previously convicted in 2017 of first-degree murder and kidnapping for the 2012 disappearance of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar.
  • A state appeals court overturned the original conviction earlier this year, citing a lack of evidence.
  • Prosecutors are barred from telling the new jury that the killing was willful, deliberate, and premeditated.
  • The trial will decide whether Garcia-Torres is exonerated or remains in prison serving a life sentence.
  • Sierra LaMar's body was never recovered after she vanished in 2012 while walking to Sobrato High School.
  • Investigators previously recovered her purse, cellphone, asthma inhaler, and clothing, with DNA evidence linking Garcia-Torres to her disappearance.
  • Defense attorney Alfonso Lopez filed a motion in October requesting a judge to drop all charges and dismiss the case, citing claims of new evidence and prosecutorial misconduct.

Who's Mentioned

PersonDanalynn Pritz“Appellate defense attorney who successfully argued the appeal”locationMorgan Hill“Resident hometown of Sierra LaMar”OrganizationKRON4“News organization that gathered and published the report”OrganizationSobrato High School“School Sierra LaMar was walking to when she vanished”PersonAlfonso Lopez“Defense attorney who filed a motion to drop all charges”PersonAntolin Garcia-Torres“Defendant on trial for the disappearance and murder of Sierra LaMar”PersonSierra LaMar“Victim who disappeared in 2012”PersonSteven Clark“Legal analyst commenting on the defense strategy”