Crime & Safety

Father of Sierra Lamar's Suspected Killer Convicted of Child Molestation

Genaro Garcia Fernandez was convicted Wednesday of repeated rape and molestation and faces life in prison.

After a trial that lasted six days, Genaro Garcia Fernandez was convicted of 17 felony counts of child molestation in a Morgan Hill court on Wednesday.

Garcia Fernandez, the father of Antolin Garcia-Torres (the man accused of kidnapping and killing Sierra LaMar), was found guilty of "sexually molesting a female relative when she was a child, including repeatedly raping her starting when she was just 7," according to the Mercury News.

There was little sign of a not guilty verdict in this case. The defense team did not call a single witness or make an opening statement, the Mercury News reported. 

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Laura Torres, the wife of Garcia Fernandez, testified against her husband, telling stories of his years of abuse. Torres, the mother of Sierra LaMar's accused killer, said she long suspected Garcia Fernandez was sexually assaulting the primary victim, who according to the Mercury News, first reported that he inappropriately touched her at age 5. 

Garcia Fernandez now faces life in prison. His son, meanwhile, could see his plea delayed several months in the Sierra LaMar case.  

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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