Missing cheerleader Sierra Lamar, 15, was into drugs and planned to take ecstasy the day she died say defense lawyers for man accused of killing her
- Sierra LaMar disappeared in 2012 on her way to school in Morgan Hill, California
- The murder trial of her accused killer Antolin Garcia-Torres began in January
- Her friends reluctantly testified that the 15-year-old cheerleader had used drugs
It has been five years since Sierra LaMar (pictured) disappeared on her way to school in Morgan Hill, California, and the murder trial against her accused killer Antolin Garcia Torres is now underway
A teenager who disappeared on her way to school five years ago used to smoke marijuana and take ecstacy, a court was told as a man stands trial for her murder.
Sierra LaMar disappeared on her way to school in Morgan Hill, California, and the murder trial against her accused killer Antolin Garcia Torres is now underway.
The 15-year-old disappeared on the morning of March 16, 2012, on her way to her school bus stop.
During the search for the missing teen Sierra was portrayed as 'Everyone's Daughter' - a clean cut cheerleader.
But at Garcia-Torres' trial, friends from Fremont testified on Monday that Sierra had used ecstasy and marijuana, and was unhappy about moving to Morgan Hill, the Mercury News reports.
Her friend Shannon Foreman reluctantly told the court that Sierra had texted that she was 'excited about going to Freemont and popping pills,' the day she disappeared.
Foreman also said she had seen Sierra take ecstasy one or two times before.
Garcia-Torres' defense team claim that Sierra had contact with people in the criminal underworld and could have either run away or been abducted by drug dealers.
But her friends dismissed the suggestion, and agreed with the prosecution that her behavior was just 'normal teenage stuff'.
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Antolin Garcia-Torres (pictured) is from San Martin, California, just a few miles from Sierra's home in Morgan Hill. Garcia-Torres is the owner of a red car caught on surveillance camera near her home on March 16, the day of her disappearance, which was seized by police before his arrest
Antolin Garcia Torres is from San Martin, California, just a few miles from Sierra's home in Morgan Hill.
Garcia-Torres, now 25, has pleaded not guilty. If he is convicted, he faces either the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
However, if he is acquitted by Santa Clara County Superior Court, he cannot be tried again for the murder, even if Sierra’s body is found or other incriminating evidence surfaces.
Garcia-Torres is the owner of a red car caught on surveillance camera near her home on March 16, the day of her disappearance, which was seized by police before his arrest.
Sierra hasn't been seen or heard from since she left her home in Morgan Hill to go to school on March 16, 2012. Authorities believe she was kidnapped while walking to a bus stop.
Authorities arrested Garcia-Torres two months after her disappearance at the convenience store where he worked.
The first breakthrough in the case came in the discovery of Garcia-Torres' red Volkswagen Jetta.
A search for the car began after it was captured on several surveillance videos close to the missing teen's home and the area where authorities recovered some of her belongings.
Sierra's cellphone was found near the side of the road the day after she vanished and her Juicy brand black and pink purse with clothes folded neatly inside was found the day after that.
A search for the car began after it was captured on several surveillance videos close to the missing teen's home and the area where authorities recovered some of her belongings. Sierra's cellphone was found near the side of the road the day after she vanished and her Juicy brand black and pink purse with clothes folded neatly inside was found the day after that. There is also evidence linking his DNA to clothing found in Sierra's abandoned backpack, which was tossed in a shed not far from her home
There is also evidence linking his DNA to clothing found in Sierra's abandoned backpack, which was tossed in a shed not far from her home.
The reveal dirt stains and reflective beads from the road were found on her jeans, indicating she was dragged, according to Fox 5.
Legal Analyst Steven Clark said prosecutors are relying heavily on forensic DNA evidence to prove Garcia-Torres' guilt.
He said: 'What the DA needs to do is establish through anecdotal evidence by calling Sierra's mother and her friends is that this is not a girl who would run away. This is not a girl who would not communicate with her mom.'
Following the incident, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said it appeared to be a random act of violence.
According to Fox, Garcia Torres sat through the opening statements looking clean shaven and emotionless.
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