Man Suspected of Murdering Sierra LaMar Arraigned on New Kidnapping Charges

Antolin Garcia Torres, charged in the alleged murder and kidnapping of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar, was arraigned today on three new counts of attempted kidnapping in commission of a carjacking, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.

Torres, who leaned against a doorway during the brief hearing in Santa Clara County Superior Court, waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 60 days of the arraignment, Deputy District Attorney David Boyd said.

Torres, who has yet to enter a plea on any of the charges, answered "Yes, your honor" and "Thank you, your honor" after Santa Clara County Judge Jerome Nadler asked him if he understood he would be giving up his right to a preliminary hearing within 60 days.

Nadler then set a hearing for Feb. 6 when Torres may enter a plea to murder and kidnapping charges related to the disappearance of LaMar, and the three new charges stemming from alleged attacks on three women in Morgan Hill in 2009.

A preliminary hearing on all of the allegations could be set after Torres enters a plea, Boyd said.

Torres, 21, was arrested on May 22 in connection with LaMar's disappearance. The 15-year-old was last seen March 16 at a bus stop in Morgan Hill and prosecutors charge that Torres kidnapped and killed her and hid her body.

The charges of attempted kidnapping in commission of a carjacking came from alleged attacks on three women on March 19 and 26, 2009, in the parking lots of two Safeway stores in Morgan Hill, according to prosecutors.

After Torres was arrested in the suspected kidnap-murder of LaMar in May, police determined that he resembled the likeness of a sketch made of the suspect based on descriptions from victims in the 2009 attacks, which led to his arrest on those charges.

Torres used to work at a Safeway store on Tennant Avenue where one of the alleged attacks occurred.

The defendant was 17 at the time of three 2009 incidents, but Boyd received permission from a juvenile court judge to charge him as an adult.

--Bay City News Service