Re: Sierra Lamar -- Missing 3/16/12

by Honeysage Fri May 25, 2012 5:52 pm

http://gilroy.patch.com/articles/marc-klaas-i-m-not-convinced-sierra-s-dead
Marc Klaas: I'm Not Convinced Sierra's Dead

Klaas said several factors lead him to believe Sierra could be alive: The suspect, Antolin Garcia-Torres, doesn’t have a history of violence against women or children aside from one case that was dropped, a weapon hasn’t been found and a cause of death hasn’t been reported.

“They’ve been vague with telling us what they have. They say they have his DNA on her bag, that they can place her in his car,” Klaas said. “Based on what I’ve heard, they haven’t made the case that this girl is 100 percent dead.”

by Tamta Fri May 25, 2012 6:00 pm

Honeysage wrote:http://gilroy.patch.com/articles/marc-klaas-i-m-not-convinced-sierra-s-dead
Marc Klaas: I'm Not Convinced Sierra's Dead

Klaas said several factors lead him to believe Sierra could be alive: The suspect, Antolin Garcia-Torres, doesn’t have a history of violence against women or children aside from one case that was dropped, a weapon hasn’t been found and a cause of death hasn’t been reported.

“They’ve been vague with telling us what they have. They say they have his DNA on her bag, that they can place her in his car,” Klaas said. “Based on what I’ve heard, they haven’t made the case that this girl is 100 percent dead.”

I tend to agree with Mr. Klaas.

by Honeysage Fri May 25, 2012 6:05 pm

Tamta wrote:
Honeysage wrote:http://gilroy.patch.com/articles/marc-klaas-i-m-not-convinced-sierra-s-dead
Marc Klaas: I'm Not Convinced Sierra's Dead

Klaas said several factors lead him to believe Sierra could be alive: The suspect, Antolin Garcia-Torres, doesn’t have a history of violence against women or children aside from one case that was dropped, a weapon hasn’t been found and a cause of death hasn’t been reported.

“They’ve been vague with telling us what they have. They say they have his DNA on her bag, that they can place her in his car,” Klaas said. “Based on what I’ve heard, they haven’t made the case that this girl is 100 percent dead.”

I tend to agree with Mr. Klaas.

but where could she be? who is taking care of her and why? if they took his car on April 7th and she was alive how did they expect him to get to her?

by Tamta Fri May 25, 2012 6:10 pm

Honeysage wrote:
Tamta wrote:
Honeysage wrote:http://gilroy.patch.com/articles/marc-klaas-i-m-not-convinced-sierra-s-dead
Marc Klaas: I'm Not Convinced Sierra's Dead

Klaas said several factors lead him to believe Sierra could be alive: The suspect, Antolin Garcia-Torres, doesn’t have a history of violence against women or children aside from one case that was dropped, a weapon hasn’t been found and a cause of death hasn’t been reported.

“They’ve been vague with telling us what they have. They say they have his DNA on her bag, that they can place her in his car,” Klaas said. “Based on what I’ve heard, they haven’t made the case that this girl is 100 percent dead.”

I tend to agree with Mr. Klaas.

but where could she be? who is taking care of her and why? if they took his car on April 7th and she was alive how did they expect him to get to her?

BBM.

It does not translate directly to Sierra is dead.

That is the part that I am agreeing with.

Honestly, how could she be alive if she is not a runaway?

What else do they have?

by Ellie Tza Fri May 25, 2012 6:56 pm

Tamta wrote:
Ellie Tza wrote:
Tamta wrote:
senseigurl wrote:i read somewhere that he left his home about 6:50am. it's probably a 5-minute drive to sierra's home. 20+ minutes transpired. he may have been driving around for a while in that area then stopped when the opportunity was right.

apparently he was off work that day. i don't know if you guys have had access to the facebook post with the argument going on between the girlfriend and pretty much the rest of Morgan Hill. too many contradictions as it is with her statements and some others.

Where is he or a family member quoted about his activities and time specifics of that morning?
I'd love to know, too.

Ellie

See Lash's video link up thread.
TIme specifics came from a facebook posting on Torres' wife page which has since been deleted.

Thanks. I hate that I missed the FB thing.

by Ellie Tza Fri May 25, 2012 6:57 pm

Stolat wrote:
Tamta wrote:
Ellie Tza wrote:
Tamta wrote:
senseigurl wrote:i read somewhere that he left his home about 6:50am. it's probably a 5-minute drive to sierra's home. 20+ minutes transpired. he may have been driving around for a while in that area then stopped when the opportunity was right.

apparently he was off work that day. i don't know if you guys have had access to the facebook post with the argument going on between the girlfriend and pretty much the rest of Morgan Hill. too many contradictions as it is with her statements and some others.

Where is he or a family member quoted about his activities and time specifics of that morning?
I'd love to know, too.

Ellie

See Lash's video link up thread.
TIme specifics came from a facebook posting on Torres' wife page which has since been deleted.

Man - I hope someone screen-captured those. Those were pretty hardcore and revealing things she was saying about Sierra. Totally indicative of a jealous woman -- not a sympathetic one. Jealous thinking that their husband may have been involved sexually with Sierra. Incriminating.

If you do find screen captures, can you PM me? That's something I'd like to see, for sure. Sorry if this is a repeat, I am and probably always be behind !

by Ellie Tza Fri May 25, 2012 7:15 pm

Lash wrote:
senseigurl wrote:Unfortunately I couldn't get a screen shot of it. Hopefully someone has that one. Maybe someone on JusticeQuest since it seems there are more of the locals there.

Hi senseigurl! Can you tell me who made the comment? Was it Victoria or Francine or someone totally different? TIA

ETA - Teresa Casillas is the only comment left regarding a time. It appears she replied to a comment that "he had company at 6:50am".

Crankycrankersons photobucket account has the screenshots - start at page 5

https://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Sierra%20LaMar%20%20-CA-/

I see it now, thanks. Disgusting, shocking, and strange. WHOSE mind works like this? Seriously?

by Ellie Tza Fri May 25, 2012 7:20 pm

SuperMom wrote:
Honeysage wrote:oh no...Hotsteno's twitter account has gone private-hope she hasn't been harassed. i don't have a twitter acct.-hope she lets someone know she is ok!

Yes, she has been harassed. Apparently someone took something she said out of context. I cannot access my twitter from here at work to give a link or quote it but I will type out some (or all) of what she said happened.

Dear friends, it has come to my attention that something I hastily wrote on my way to work this morning may be take out of context. See attached phoot.

I was irritated because this particular person felt it was inappropriate for me to have strong opinions about Antolin Garcia-Torres, who, the evidence demonstrates, abducted my 15 year old neighbor, Sierra LaMar, from the same Sobrato High School bus stop my own daughter could have been standing at on March 16 of this year. This person was claiming that because of my profession, I should not have an opinion as to his guilt or innocence.

I have run into this opinion rather a lot recently, and I am completely frustrated by it. Of course, in the eyes of the law, AGT is innocent until proven guilty. However, knowing what I know about the evidence, I am completely convinced he is guilty and I am passionate that this monster should never walk the streets a free man again. Evidently, the SO and the DA share my opinion.

Nobody at work has suggested I am not entitled to form an opinion as to AGT's guilt or innocence. My tweet makes it sound like I'm criticising my employer, and that is not what I intended. Just to be clear, my criticism is completely limited to the narrow minded person who thinks I have to be "fair" to this predator who has turned our lives upside-down. I'm not going to be his judge, jury, or reporter. I don't have to be fair and impartial. I want him to spend the rest of his life in prison where he can't hurt anyone else.

I cannot see the picture of the misunderstood tweets in reference but I can gather that this guy has been harassing her and is doing so under a few different names. I can understand why she made her account private.

How disappointing in so many ways. What a huge loss of information and assistance for her followers!

by nanaof4 Fri May 25, 2012 7:29 pm

Lash wrote:
senseigurl wrote:Unfortunately I couldn't get a screen shot of it. Hopefully someone has that one. Maybe someone on JusticeQuest since it seems there are more of the locals there.

Hi senseigurl! Can you tell me who made the comment? Was it Victoria or Francine or someone totally different? TIA

ETA - Teresa Casillas is the only comment left regarding a time. It appears she replied to a comment that "he had company at 6:50am".

Crankycrankersons photobucket account has the screenshots - start at page 5

https://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Sierra%20LaMar%20%20-CA-/

Victoria claimed they were with him that morning. Victoria's comment was on screen shot 61. I htink that is what Teresa Cassillas was responding to when she made her 6:50 comment.

by nanaof4 Fri May 25, 2012 7:51 pm

Tamta wrote:
Lash wrote:
Tamta wrote:
Lash wrote:
Tamta wrote:
Lash wrote:This article contains a PDF document of the Felony Complaint.

Garcia-Torres charged with murder of Sierra LaMar
Thursday, May 24, 2012

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=8675449

http://dig.abclocal.go.com/kgo/PDF/ANTOLIN-GARCIA-TORRES-FELONY-COMPLAINT.pdf

So the FC and SPC are the Memorial Day Weekend doc releases???
I personally thought they would release a probable cause affidavit. I don't feel the statement of facts was quite what we were expecting. They owe us nothing really. I'm in agreement with Stolat, a lot of what we were told in the beginning was a ruse. The intent was good, hoping AGT would lead them to Sierra's body. I think the facts as we thought we knew them, might not be.

Lash,

Do you think that the media has seen the SPC, or is referring to the SOF as SPC, or that there are exact quotes in the SOF and SPC? I am confused then.

I also just wonder sometimes if there are timing intentions behind informational releases. Not just with Sierra's case but the Celis case just had a big document release right before a holiday weekend. Readers have an extra day to.....mull things over in a sense. It may not be intentional.

ANyway after reading the DA and SHeriff Smith statements, and now these docs, I have more questions then ever??!!!

Sigh.

The media didn't label it SOF. It is a PDF document named and created by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.

I'm not as confused as I am concerned about the probable cause. I said they owe us nothing, but I would like to have an understanding of what forensic evidence of Sierra's was found in the Jetta. What if anything besides her lack of social media interaction and finding her belongings have concluded she is deceased? Did they find Sierra's hair in the car with death bands? Did a cadaver dog hit on the car? WHAT? Skin cells from AGT does not tell me she is deceased. It tells me her clothes were in close contact with AGT and he was involved.

BBM

My same question.

Sheriff Smith said they had both direct and circumstantial evidence. The circumstantial is that she didn't contact anyone (among other things I would assume). I don't think LE or the DA is going to show their hand at this point. That will come with discovery once the accused has an attorney. It would not be good for the case for them to give the defense a heads-up before the proper time.

However, like you, I really want to know. We got spoiled with the Florida Sunshine laws. But even then, we didn't get the evidence until it was turned over to defense in discovery.

by Lash Fri May 25, 2012 8:14 pm

Honeysage wrote:
Tamta wrote:
Honeysage wrote:http://gilroy.patch.com/articles/marc-klaas-i-m-not-convinced-sierra-s-dead
Marc Klaas: I'm Not Convinced Sierra's Dead

Klaas said several factors lead him to believe Sierra could be alive: The suspect, Antolin Garcia-Torres, doesn’t have a history of violence against women or children aside from one case that was dropped, a weapon hasn’t been found and a cause of death hasn’t been reported.

“They’ve been vague with telling us what they have. They say they have his DNA on her bag, that they can place her in his car,” Klaas said. “Based on what I’ve heard, they haven’t made the case that this girl is 100 percent dead.”

I tend to agree with Mr. Klaas.

but where could she be? who is taking care of her and why? if they took his car on April 7th and she was alive how did they expect him to get to her?

Sex trafficking. As sickening a this sounds a teenage girl can be purchased for as cheap as $1,200. An owner keeps the girls locked up and works them doing tricks. Sex slavery. It is happening even in Connecticut. The girls never even see the money. They're kept in rooms that are deadbolted and fed heroin. It has nothing to do with the choice of prostituting oneself.

by Joju Fri May 25, 2012 9:01 pm

That was first thought, this pd makes me crazy.

by Alessandra_Deux Fri May 25, 2012 9:49 pm

I am going to wait until I can see some of the evidence the police used to charge Torres.

by Tbrownsanjo Fri May 25, 2012 10:35 pm

I was looking at AGTs MySpace and he has a friend named Matt? Maybe Matt is being watched and he knows where she is or he has her?? Also another scenario to think about maybe girlfriend or wife killed her and he is covering for her. Pregnant and all. He has that look like its not him but he knows something. The family knows they would have questioned him about his car???

If she can post those things she is jealous maybe that was it she was jealous and killed her?? Idk just thinking out loud?!

by Tamta Sat May 26, 2012 12:39 am

Tbrownsanjo wrote:I was looking at AGTs MySpace and he has a friend named Matt? Maybe Matt is being watched and he knows where she is or he has her?? Also another scenario to think about maybe girlfriend or wife killed her and he is covering for her. Pregnant and all. He has that look like its not him but he knows something. The family knows they would have questioned him about his car???

If she can post those things she is jealous maybe that was it she was jealous and killed her?? Idk just thinking out loud?!

by Freckles Sat May 26, 2012 2:02 am

Honeysage wrote:http://www.mercurynews.com/campbell/ci_20711534/many-santa-clara-county-sheriffs-missing-girls-arent
Many of Santa Clara County sheriff's 'missing girls' aren't really missing

Smith's list included 43 missing girls in San Jose alone. But San Jose Police Department spokesman Jason Dwyer said, "We don't have any open at-risk juvenile cases." Of the current cases of missing girls, which he put at 37, "All of them are runaways or believed to be runaways."

He said the Sheriff's Office didn't call local agencies to verify the information it was releasing.

Right. Says they have failed to do proper followups.
This way, they can get the parents off their backs.
Gosh. Is there a special place where all these runaways hang out?
Or are the missing labeled runaways until they show up dead?
Sorry for the sarcasm. Not buying it.

by Tbrownsanjo Sat May 26, 2012 2:12 am

http://m.nbcbayarea.com/nbcbayarea/pm_108028/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=cryDU8vS&rwthr=0

Info on other victim in MH attacks in 2009

by senseigurl Sat May 26, 2012 2:16 am

I'm not entirely convinced of the murder either. Unless they have blood from Sierra in the Jetta, 'death bands,' or a cadaver dog did a hit, then I would drop the murder charge for now. Is it too late for them to retract a statement?

There's always the chance that she can't make social contact BECAUSE SHE'S CAPTURED and WATCHED by an accomplice.

by senseigurl Sat May 26, 2012 2:30 am

My main concern is that they wouldn't have enough evidence to try for murder. Sure, Sierra has not been able to make contact, but there can always be a probable explanation for that. see my previous post.

by snowbird Sat May 26, 2012 8:44 am

I don't think she is alive. I wish she was alive.
I would think now that he was charged with murder, if she was alive he would be making a deal right now to bring her home.
Just because he hasn't done this before doesn't mean he did do it now. However, they said he may have been link to another crime in taking or trying to take a young lady. I think that person got away.
I don't think they are going to find blood, because I don't think he used a weapon to kill her, or I should say he used his hands to kill her. He possibly strangled her after he raped her.
IMO Now that he is charged in murder, if she is not dead he would be talking, even if it was with an attorney. I hope they can bring her home soon, so her family will not have any doubts. My prays will always be with them.

by WeeBonnie Sat May 26, 2012 9:18 am

Just read the other incident(s) the suspect is implicated appear to be attempted kidnappings. Jumping into a car and tasering a woman? That's quite a bit more serious than a simple assault. That is serious stuff.

by Lash Sat May 26, 2012 11:28 am

Tbrownsanjo wrote:http://m.nbcbayarea.com/nbcbayarea/pm_108028/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=cryDU8vS&rwthr=0

Info on other victim in MH attacks in 2009

Since LE had been in contact with this victim before the arrest of AGT, I am praying that means she was given a photo lineup and hopefully was able to identify him. LE said they have forensics in the Safeway attacks. If they also have a victim who can testify to his identity, that is powerful. I will wait for all the evidence in this case to come forward, I do believe AGT is the right suspect and acted alone. The Safeway assaults appear to have been one attacker.

Snipped from above - She was able to get away untouched, but her description of the man led to a police sketch. In the past few weeks, she says investigators have been in close contact with her. Her story and account of the attack could be key in the D.A's case against Garcia-Torres.

by Honeysage Sat May 26, 2012 1:20 pm

http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/crime_fire_courts/dissecting-torres-criminal-past-assault-obstructing-a-cop/article_1892bd02-a6ca-11e1-b53e-0019bb30f31a.html
Dissecting Torres' criminal past: Assault, obstructing a cop

Now locked away inside the Santa Clara County Main Jail awaiting his arraignment Thursday, May 31, this isn't Garcia Torres' first time behind bars. The 6 foot, 180 pound Hispanic man has a lengthy rap sheet with the law, according to court documents obtained by the Dispatch.

by Tbrownsanjo Sat May 26, 2012 1:36 pm

Inside Santa Clara county main jail an associate source tells me he is PCd up and even the others PCd want to get at Antolin. Poor thing first time in jail and remember folks this is county we are talking about.

Give up the info on Sierra where us she???

by Lash Sat May 26, 2012 1:53 pm

Tbrownsanjo wrote:Inside Santa Clara county main jail an associate source tells me he is PCd up and even the others PCd want to get at Antolin. Poor thing first time in jail and remember folks this is county we are talking about.

Give up the info on Sierra where us she???

What does PCd stand for?

by JustWinnie Sat May 26, 2012 2:01 pm

Lash wrote:
Tbrownsanjo wrote:Inside Santa Clara county main jail an associate source tells me he is PCd up and even the others PCd want to get at Antolin. Poor thing first time in jail and remember folks this is county we are talking about.

Give up the info on Sierra where us she???

What does PCd stand for?

Protective Custody

by Tamta Sat May 26, 2012 2:18 pm

JustWinnie wrote:
Lash wrote:
Tbrownsanjo wrote:Inside Santa Clara county main jail an associate source tells me he is PCd up and even the others PCd want to get at Antolin. Poor thing first time in jail and remember folks this is county we are talking about.

Give up the info on Sierra where us she???

What does PCd stand for?

Protective Custody

I'm sure those individuals are very aware of why they are also enjoying their own removal from society.

by ellejay Sat May 26, 2012 2:33 pm

http://cupertino.patch.com/articles/lamar-murder-suspect-didnt-seem-concerned-1400669c
LaMar Murder Suspect ‘Didn’t Seem Concerned’

Antolin Garcia Torres seemed unconcerned about authorities following him and interviewing him and his family, his sister said.

--snipped--more@link--

Detectives also searched the mobile home that Garcia-Torres lives in with his mother, Laura, his wife Francine and 19-month-old daughter Emily. They confiscated Garcia-Torres' toothbrush, boots and blankets, according to Lucero, who said a long braid of her mother’s hair was confiscated as well.

Cardoza confirmed that authorities searched the RV after obtaining a search warrant, although he couldn’t specify the date the search took place, nor could he comment on the confiscated items, aside from the hair.

“In general, when a hair sample is taken from somebody, it would be processed for forensic evidence,” he said. “In criminal investigations, when hair samples are taken it’s to conduct forensic testing."

---why take the braid of hair?

by Chickenbutt Sat May 26, 2012 2:36 pm

Was it long enough to choke someone with?

by Honeysage Sat May 26, 2012 2:37 pm

ellejay wrote:http://cupertino.patch.com/articles/lamar-murder-suspect-didnt-seem-concerned-1400669c
LaMar Murder Suspect ‘Didn’t Seem Concerned’

Antolin Garcia Torres seemed unconcerned about authorities following him and interviewing him and his family, his sister said.

--snipped--more@link--

Detectives also searched the mobile home that Garcia-Torres lives in with his mother, Laura, his wife Francine and 19-month-old daughter Emily. They confiscated Garcia-Torres' toothbrush, boots and blankets, according to Lucero, who said a long braid of her mother’s hair was confiscated as well.

Cardoza confirmed that authorities searched the RV after obtaining a search warrant, although he couldn’t specify the date the search took place, nor could he comment on the confiscated items, aside from the hair.

“In general, when a hair sample is taken from somebody, it would be processed for forensic evidence,” he said. “In criminal investigations, when hair samples are taken it’s to conduct forensic testing."

---why take the braid of hair?

why would you keep a long braid of your hair around?

by Tamta Sat May 26, 2012 2:47 pm

Honeysage wrote:
ellejay wrote:http://cupertino.patch.com/articles/lamar-murder-suspect-didnt-seem-concerned-1400669c
LaMar Murder Suspect ‘Didn’t Seem Concerned’

Antolin Garcia Torres seemed unconcerned about authorities following him and interviewing him and his family, his sister said.

--snipped--more@link--

Detectives also searched the mobile home that Garcia-Torres lives in with his mother, Laura, his wife Francine and 19-month-old daughter Emily. They confiscated Garcia-Torres' toothbrush, boots and blankets, according to Lucero, who said a long braid of her mother’s hair was confiscated as well.

Cardoza confirmed that authorities searched the RV after obtaining a search warrant, although he couldn’t specify the date the search took place, nor could he comment on the confiscated items, aside from the hair.

“In general, when a hair sample is taken from somebody, it would be processed for forensic evidence,” he said. “In criminal investigations, when hair samples are taken it’s to conduct forensic testing."

---why take the braid of hair?

why would you keep a long braid of your hair around?

She is Mexican, and she looks like she is part Mexican Indian too.
My husband is from Oaxaca and there are many rituals very similar to this.

One story I once heard was women cutting a beautiful lock of their hair and burying it so when they were passing onto the next world they would not have to search for it.

Without knowing what her Indian ancestry is, I would assume the meaning for doing something like that is along those lines.

by Lash Sat May 26, 2012 2:51 pm

Honeysage wrote:http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/crime_fire_courts/dissecting-torres-criminal-past-assault-obstructing-a-cop/article_1892bd02-a6ca-11e1-b53e-0019bb30f31a.html
Dissecting Torres' criminal past: Assault, obstructing a cop

Now locked away inside the Santa Clara County Main Jail awaiting his arraignment Thursday, May 31, this isn't Garcia Torres' first time behind bars. The 6 foot, 180 pound Hispanic man has a lengthy rap sheet with the law, according to court documents obtained by the Dispatch.

Hi Honey - Until your post above, I hung on to the article below because it gave the greatest description of AGT's criminal history. I just compared the two and it is a prime example of misreporting facts. As an example...10 consecutive day prison sentence vs two different 5 day sentences. Come'on people!

Violent Past for Sierra LaMar Murder, Kidnap Suspect, Court Records Reveal

http://losgatos.patch.com/articles/sierra-lamar-murder-kidnap-suspect-had-violent-past

by Chickenbutt Sat May 26, 2012 2:55 pm

A male Indian friend of mine had hair down to his waist. When his sister died, due to tradition, he cut off his braid. IIRC, it is all about giving up something meaningful to make the Gods' happy so the deceased can pass easily into the next world.

by Lash Sat May 26, 2012 3:07 pm

Chickenbutt wrote:A male Indian friend of mine had hair down to his waist. When his sister died, due to tradition, he cut off his braid. IIRC, it is all about giving up something meaningful to make the Gods' happy so the deceased can pass easily into the next world.

Sounds feasible since mom just lost a son Benancio, IIRC six months ago. AGT's older brother.

Could it also be to compare hair samples found in the Jetta?

by Chickenbutt Sat May 26, 2012 3:08 pm

Just speculation....could they have found a hair in the Jetta, too long to be Sierra's, but maybe long enough to strangle her with?

by Ellie Tza Sat May 26, 2012 3:54 pm

Honeysage wrote:why would you keep a long braid of your hair around?

Lucero is the mom of AGT, right? She said it's HER MOTHER'S hair. Not her own hair. Possibly just a remembrance or something in their culture/tradition. But, if I were LE and I saw a braid of hair laying around at the home of a man suspected in the murder of a female, I doubt I would take anyone's word for whose hair it was. I'd be taking it to analyze. That's my guess about what happened here.

by Lash Sat May 26, 2012 4:57 pm

Lucero Garcia is his sister. She is married to Isboset Martinez. His moms name is Laura Torres-Garcia.

by Honeysage Sat May 26, 2012 4:58 pm

Ellie Tza wrote:
Honeysage wrote:why would you keep a long braid of your hair around?
Lucero is the mom of AGT, right? She said it's HER MOTHER'S hair. Not her own hair. Possibly just a remembrance or something in their culture/tradition. But, if I were LE and I saw a braid of hair laying around at the home of a man suspected in the murder of a female, I doubt I would take anyone's word for whose hair it was. I'd be taking it to analyze. That's my guess about what happened here.

Lucero is his sister...Laura is the mom

by Freckles Sat May 26, 2012 5:13 pm

Chickenbutt wrote:Just speculation....could they have found a hair in the Jetta, too long to be Sierra's, but maybe long enough to strangle her with?

IF he is associated with the earlier Safeway attempts, PERHAPS he used a stun gun repeatedly until her heart stopped. (I am being told this might not happen: A stun gun is all volts and not current. So getting zapped by a stun gun repeatedly may only incapacitate you; however, with a weak heart it is highly likely a stun gun could kill you by interfering with the heart rhythm.) I wonder, what with her asthma, if kill could occur with the use of a stun gun and a healthy heart?

Stun guns would leave no blood. They could, however, cause a person to temporarily lose bladder control.

Tazers (tasers) have prongs. Used at a distance, there will be blood. If they are pressed up against a person, they act same as stun gun.

by Ellie Tza Sat May 26, 2012 6:45 pm

Honeysage wrote:
Ellie Tza wrote:
Honeysage wrote:why would you keep a long braid of your hair around?
Lucero is the mom of AGT, right? She said it's HER MOTHER'S hair. Not her own hair. Possibly just a remembrance or something in their culture/tradition. But, if I were LE and I saw a braid of hair laying around at the home of a man suspected in the murder of a female, I doubt I would take anyone's word for whose hair it was. I'd be taking it to analyze. That's my guess about what happened here.

Lucero is his sister...Laura is the mom

Oh, thanks. I got the mixed up. That's way weirder, to me. LOL

by Tamta Sun May 27, 2012 12:07 am

RE: Sierra Lamar is deceased

Snipped from PC after Torres' apprehension

SHeriff Laurie Smith:

Antolin Garcia-Torres as the person responsible for the kidnap and murder of Sierra LaMar. We developed this through our investigation based on direct and circumstantial evidence, including forensic analysis conducted by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Crime Lab.

The discovery of Sierra's cell phone, her clothing, what she wore that day, and her personal belongings have contributed to our belief that -- that Sierra's a victim of murder.

by Freckles Sun May 27, 2012 12:12 am

Tamta wrote:RE: Sierra Lamar is deceased

Snipped from PC after Torres' apprehension

SHeriff Laurie Smith:

Antolin Garcia-Torres as the person responsible for the kidnap and murder of Sierra LaMar. We developed this through our investigation based on direct and circumstantial evidence, including forensic analysis conducted by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Crime Lab.

The discovery of Sierra's cell phone, her clothing, what she wore that day, and her personal belongings have contributed to our belief that -- that Sierra's a victim of murder.

Whoa-whoa. I missed that. Would you have a link handy?

by Tamta Sun May 27, 2012 12:22 am

BBM

Direct Evidence:

Criminal Law

223. Direct and Circumstantial Evidence: Defined

Facts may be proved by direct or circumstantial evidence or by a combination of both. Direct evidence can prove a fact by itself. For example, if a witness testifies he saw it raining outside before he came into the courthouse, that testimony is direct evidence that it was raining.

Circumstantial evidence also may be called indirect evidence. Circumstantial evidence does not directly prove the fact to be decided, but is evidence of another fact or group of facts from which you may conclude the truth of the fact in question. For example, if a witness testifies that he saw someone come inside wearing a raincoat covered with drops of water, that testimony is circumstantial evidence because it may support a conclusion that it was raining outside.

Both direct and circumstantial evidence are acceptable types of evidence to prove or disprove the elements of a charge, including intent and mental state and acts necessary to a conviction, and neither is necessarily more reliable than the other. Neither is entitled to any greater weight than the other. You must decide whether a fact in issue has been proved based on all the evidence.

http://www.justia.com/criminal/docs/calcrim/200/223.html

by Tamta Sun May 27, 2012 10:56 am

Sierra LaMar Murder Suspect ‘Didn’t Seem Concerned’

Detectives also searched the mobile home that Garcia-Torres lives with his mother, Laura, his wife, Francine, and 19-month-old daughter, Emily.

They confiscated Antolin’s toothbrush, boots and blankets, according to Lucero, who said a long braid of her mother’s hair was confiscated as well.

Cardoza confirmed that authorities searched the RV after obtaining a search warrant, although he couldn’t specify the date the search took place, nor could he comment on the confiscated items, aside from the hair.

http://losaltos.patch.com/articles/sierra-lamar-murder-suspect-didnt-seem-concerned

by Joju Sun May 27, 2012 1:17 pm

Stun guns need to be outlawed for the public.

by Lash Sun May 27, 2012 3:34 pm

No one wants to believe Sierra is gone. Sex trafficking is the only way I thought she could still be alive. In my opinion sex trafficking just does no fit with stripping Sierra of her clothes. If she was kidnapped to sell into slavery, I believe her bag and clothing would have went with her buyer. I believe finding the clothes Sierra allegedly wore when she left the house seems nonsensical to any trafficking suggestions. Please understand my wording is not an meant to minimize. The sale would have been as simple as a drug deal. An exchange of money for the girl. Stripping Sierra of her clothing and folding them to put in her purse does not fit with trafficking. It is not logical that after AGT sold Sierra, he would then leave with Sierra's belongings in tow. He would have left them with the buyer to get rid of any evidence ASAP. The suggestion her purse was left in his car by mistake doesn't fit the trafficking theory because the clothes had been stripped from her body and placed in her purse. It may fit a different theory, but I don't believe it fits in here. Unfortunately, I personally cannot think of a valid reason why Sierra would be separated from her purse if this was a sale in the sex trade.

by Tamta Sun May 27, 2012 5:53 pm

Joju wrote:Stun guns need to be outlawed for the public.

I do not disagree.

I also Wonder if one was ever collected as evidence from Torres.

by Julie Mon May 28, 2012 9:37 am

Sierra LaMar Abduction Case: Authorities Believe Teenager Was Murdered

By Vincent Menjivar , Christian Post Contributor

May 28, 2012|8:21 am

Authorities in Santa Clara have announced that they now believe 15-year-old teenager Sierra LaMar was murdered, and have arrested the principal suspect in the case.

Santa Clara County Police said last week that evidence on the Sierra LaMar disappearance case indicates the 15-year-old high school student was randomly kidnapped and tragically murdered.

Read more:
http://global.christianpost.com/news/sierra-lamar-abduction-case-authorities-believe-teenager-was-murdered-75520/

by Julie Mon May 28, 2012 11:57 am

Marc Klaas: I'm Not Convinced Sierra's Dead

Klaas says there are still plenty of reasons for him to believe the Morgan Hill teen is alive.

By Corinne Speckert
Email the author
5:45 am

Although authorities are currently treating the disappearance of Sierra LaMar as a kidnapping and murder, KlassKids Founder Marc Klaas isn’t convinced the public should be searching for a body.

Klaas said several factors lead him to believe Sierra could be alive: The suspect, Antolin Garcia-Torres, doesn’t have a history of violence against women or children aside from one case that was dropped, a weapon hasn’t been found, and a cause of death hasn’t been reported.

Read more:
http://losaltos.patch.com/articles/marc-klaas-im-not-convinced-sierras-dead-756c66af

by Tamta Mon May 28, 2012 5:51 pm

Julie wrote:Marc Klaas: I'm Not Convinced Sierra's Dead

Klaas says there are still plenty of reasons for him to believe the Morgan Hill teen is alive.

By Corinne Speckert
Email the author
5:45 am

Although authorities are currently treating the disappearance of Sierra LaMar as a kidnapping and murder, KlassKids Founder Marc Klaas isn’t convinced the public should be searching for a body.

Klaas said several factors lead him to believe Sierra could be alive: The suspect, Antolin Garcia-Torres, doesn’t have a history of violence against women or children aside from one case that was dropped, a weapon hasn’t been found, and a cause of death hasn’t been reported.

Read more:
http://losaltos.patch.com/articles/marc-klaas-im-not-convinced-sierras-dead-756c66af

The DA seems to not want to say 'Presumed Deceased" though.

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