A Santa Clara County jury on Monday spared the life of the man it convicted of kidnapping and killing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar, leaving the Morgan Hill girl’s parents disappointed but relieved the murderer will spend the rest of his life in prison.
The jury gave Antolin Garcia-Torres life in prison without the possibility of parole after two days of deliberation and three weeks of testimony during the death penalty phase of the high-profile South Bay trial.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say I was disappointed in the verdict,” Sierra’s father, Steve LaMar, said shortly after the jury announced its decision. “He’ll be able to live and Sierra won’t. He’ll be able to breathe and Sierra won’t.”
Sierra’s mother, Marlene LaMar, said there was a measure of satisfaction in knowing that “there are lifelong consequences following evil action.”
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Photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press
Antolin Garcia-Torres, right, appears with unidentified attorney in a Santa Clara County courtroom in San Jose, Calif., for his second court appearance Thursday, May 31, 2012. He is accused of the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Sierra Lamar in Morgan Hill, Calif. She was last seen on March 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
lessAntolin Garcia-Torres, right, appears with unidentified attorney in a Santa Clara County courtroom in San Jose, Calif., for his second court appearance Thursday, May 31, 2012. He is accused of the kidnapping
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An undated file photo shows a picture of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at Burnett Elementary School in Morgan Hill, Calif. A jury found defendant Antolin Garcia-Torres in the murder of the girl.
An undated file photo shows a picture of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at Burnett Elementary School in Morgan Hill, Calif. A jury found defendant Antolin Garcia-Torres in the murder of the girl.
Photo: Via AP
Antolin Garcia-Torres is seen in an undated photo provided by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
Antolin Garcia-Torres is seen in an undated photo provided by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
Photo: Associated Press
Autumn Ayres and Doug Tollis hug after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for the murder of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Ayres and Tollis, regular volunteers in the search for LaMar, were relieved by the verdict.
lessAutumn Ayres and Doug Tollis hug after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for the murder of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
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Steve LaMar, Marlene LaMar and Danielle LaMar, the father, mother and sister of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar, pause on the steps of he Santa Clara County Hall of Justice after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for Sierra's murder in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
lessSteve LaMar, Marlene LaMar and Danielle LaMar, the father, mother and sister of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar, pause on the steps of he Santa Clara County Hall of Justice after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty
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Marlene LaMar wears a bracelet with her daughter's name after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for the murder of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
lessMarlene LaMar wears a bracelet with her daughter's name after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for the murder of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. on
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File - This May 31, 2012 file photo shows Antolin Garcia-Torres as he appears in a Santa Clara County courtroom in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, July 11, 2014.
File - This May 31, 2012 file photo shows Antolin Garcia-Torres as he appears in a Santa Clara County courtroom in San Jose, Calif. On Friday, July 11, 2014.
Photo: Paul Sakuma, AP
FILE - In this March 26, 2012, file photo, a missing person poster depicting Sierra LaMar is posted at the intersection of Dougherty and Palm Avenues in Morgan Hill, Calif. This was the intersection where LaMar missed her bus to Sobrato High School.
lessFILE - In this March 26, 2012, file photo, a missing person poster depicting Sierra LaMar is posted at the intersection of Dougherty and Palm Avenues in Morgan Hill, Calif. This was the intersection where
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FILE - Marlene LaMar, mother of the missing girl Sierra LaMar, speaks during a news conference regarding the arrest of Antolin Garcia-Torres at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday May 22, 2012 in San Jose, Calif.
lessFILE - Marlene LaMar, mother of the missing girl Sierra LaMar, speaks during a news conference regarding the arrest of Antolin Garcia-Torres at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday May 22, 2012 in
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FILE - Steven LaMar, father of Sierra LaMar, speaks after the first day of trial at Superior Court Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif., Monday, January 30, 2017.
FILE - Steven LaMar, father of Sierra LaMar, speaks after the first day of trial at Superior Court Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif., Monday, January 30, 2017.
Photo: Mason Trinca, Special To The Chronicle
FILE - Marlene LaMar, center, and Steven LaMar, right, mother and father of Sierra LaMar, walk to the Hall of Justice for opening arguments for the capital murder trail of 25-year-old Antolin Garcia-Torres in San Jose, Calif., Monday, January 30, 2017.
lessFILE - Marlene LaMar, center, and Steven LaMar, right, mother and father of Sierra LaMar, walk to the Hall of Justice for opening arguments for the capital murder trail of 25-year-old Antolin Garcia-Torres
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FILE - The family of Sierra LaMar, mother Marlene LaMar, sister Danielle LaMar and father, Steven LaMar hold hands during a news conference announcing the arrest of Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, in connection with the disappearance of 15-year-old Sierra in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.
lessFILE - The family of Sierra LaMar, mother Marlene LaMar, sister Danielle LaMar and father, Steven LaMar hold hands during a news conference announcing the arrest of Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, in
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FILE - Family friend Emma Spencer holds a large photo of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar in front of the Santa Clara County Superior Court building in San Jose on May 24, 2012, after the arraignment for kidnapping and murder suspect Antolin Garcia-Torres was postponed one week.
lessFILE - Family friend Emma Spencer holds a large photo of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar in front of the Santa Clara County Superior Court building in San Jose on May 24, 2012, after the arraignment
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FILE - Sheriffs deputies escort Antolin Garcia-Torres from a Santa Clara County courtroom after a brief appearance in San Jose, Calif. on Thursday, May 24, 2012. Arraignment proceedings were postponed one week for Garcia-Torres, who is suspected in the kidnapping and probable murder of Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar.
lessFILE - Sheriffs deputies escort Antolin Garcia-Torres from a Santa Clara County courtroom after a brief appearance in San Jose, Calif. on Thursday, May 24, 2012. Arraignment proceedings were postponed one
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Laura Torres, mother of Antolin Garcia-Torres, speaks about her son outside of his home on Tuesday May 22, 2012 in Morgan Hill, Calif.
Laura Torres, mother of Antolin Garcia-Torres, speaks about her son outside of his home on Tuesday May 22, 2012 in Morgan Hill, Calif.
Photo: Beck Diefenbach, Special To The Chronicle
FILE - Children's toys and other items lay outside of the home of Antolin Garcia-Torres, who was recently arrested in the Sierra LaMar on Tuesday May 22, 2012 in Morgan Hill, Calif.
FILE - Children's toys and other items lay outside of the home of Antolin Garcia-Torres, who was recently arrested in the Sierra LaMar on Tuesday May 22, 2012 in Morgan Hill, Calif.
Photo: Beck Diefenbach, Special To The Chronicle
FILE - The trailer on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, where Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, lived with his wife, mother and 18-month-old child. Garcia-Torres has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murder in the case of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar.
lessFILE - The trailer on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, where Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, lived with his wife, mother and 18-month-old child. Garcia-Torres has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and murder in
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FILE - The trailer on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, where Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, lived with his wife, mother and 18-month-old child.
FILE - The trailer on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, where Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, lived with his wife, mother and 18-month-old child.
Photo: Justin Berton, The Chronicle
FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff and Search and Rescue search the fields and abandoned buildings on Laguna Ave. in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff and Search and Rescue search the fields and abandoned buildings on Laguna Ave. in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
Photo: Karen T. Borchers, Associated Press
FILE - Back at the command center after a morning of searching west of Santa Teresa Blvd., Santa Clara County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team Member Peggy Thompson, lets "Sage" out for a lunch break in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
lessFILE - Back at the command center after a morning of searching west of Santa Teresa Blvd., Santa Clara County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team Member Peggy Thompson, lets "Sage" out for a lunch break in
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FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff and Search and Rescue search the fields and abandoned buildings on Laguna Ave. in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff and Search and Rescue search the fields and abandoned buildings on Laguna Ave. in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
Photo: Karen T. Borchers, Associated Press
FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff Sgt. Jose Cardoza answers questions in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff Sgt. Jose Cardoza answers questions in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
Photo: Karen T. Borchers, Associated Press
FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff and Search and Rescue search the fields and abandoned buildings on Laguna Ave. in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff and Search and Rescue search the fields and abandoned buildings on Laguna Ave. in Morgan Hill, Calif. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.
Photo: Karen T. Borchers, Associated Press
Sierra Lamar was 15 when she went missing in 2012 as she was on her way to school.
Sierra Lamar was 15 when she went missing in 2012 as she was on her way to school.
Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Antolin Garcia-Torres, shown Wednesday in a Santa Clara County courtroom, will not be eligible for parole.
Antolin Garcia-Torres, shown Wednesday in a Santa Clara County courtroom, will not be eligible for parole.
Photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press
From left, Steve LaMar and Beth Banda walk away from a press conference after the sentencing verdict was read by the jury Monday afternoon June 5, 2017 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. in the murder of Sierra LaMar. Antolin Garcia-Torres will recieve life in prison without the possibility of parole for the convicted murder of LaMar in 2012. Brian Feulner, Special to the Chronicle
lessFrom left, Steve LaMar and Beth Banda walk away from a press conference after the sentencing verdict was read by the jury Monday afternoon June 5, 2017 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. in the murder
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At left, Sierra LaMar's father Steve, with his girlfriend Beth Banta, stands with Sierra's mother Marlene, with her husband Kevin Camara, and Danielle (right), Sierra's sister, on the steps of he Santa Clara County Hall of Justice after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for Sierra's murder in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
lessAt left, Sierra LaMar's father Steve, with his girlfriend Beth Banta, stands with Sierra's mother Marlene, with her husband Kevin Camara, and Danielle (right), Sierra's sister, on the steps of he Santa Clara
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A sign with a photo of missing teen Sierra LaMar is posted at an intersection on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 in Morgan Hill, Calif. The search for missing 15-year-old Northern California girl expanded on Tuesday as investigators followed new leads one month since her disappearance. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's office would not say what the new leads were in the case of Sierra LaMar, except that they came from evidence already collected. The teen was seen leaving her Morgan Hill home on March 16. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
lessA sign with a photo of missing teen Sierra LaMar is posted at an intersection on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 in Morgan Hill, Calif. The search for missing 15-year-old Northern California girl expanded on Tuesday
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A supporter hugs Steve LaMar after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for the murder of his 15-year-old daughter Sierra LaMar at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
lessA supporter hugs Steve LaMar after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for the murder of his 15-year-old daughter Sierra LaMar at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 9,
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FILE - An undated file photo shows a picture of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at Burnett Elementary School in Morgan Hill, Calif. Authorities have arrested Antolin Garcia-Torres in the kidnapping and death of the Northern California teenager whose disappearance more than two months ago has prompted hundreds of volunteers to turn out for organized searches. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
lessFILE - An undated file photo shows a picture of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at Burnett Elementary School in Morgan Hill, Calif. Authorities have arrested Antolin Garcia-Torres in the kidnapping and death of the
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Marlene LaMar wears a bracelet with her daughter's name after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for the murder of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
lessMarlene LaMar wears a bracelet with her daughter's name after Antolin Garcia Torres was found guilty for the murder of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. on
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Mother of Sierra LaMar, Marlene, center, stands next to Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen, right, during a press conference after the sentencing verdict was read by the jury Monday afternoon June 5, 2017 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. in the murder of Sierra LaMar. Antolin Garcia-Torres will recieve life in prison without the possibility of parole for the convicted murder of LaMar in 2012. Brian Feulner, Special to the Chronicle
lessMother of Sierra LaMar, Marlene, center, stands next to Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen, right, during a press conference after the sentencing verdict was read by the jury Monday afternoon June 5, 2017
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Mother of Sierra LaMar, Marlene, center, talks to members of the media during a press conference after the sentencing verdict was read by the jury Monday afternoon June 5, 2017 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. in the murder of Sierra LaMar. Antolin Garcia-Torres will recieve life in prison without the possibility of parole for the convicted murder of LaMar in 2012. Brian Feulner, Special to the Chronicle
lessMother of Sierra LaMar, Marlene, center, talks to members of the media during a press conference after the sentencing verdict was read by the jury Monday afternoon June 5, 2017 at the Hall of Justice in San
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From left, Steve LaMar, Beth Banda and Marlene LaMar listen during a press conference after the sentencing verdict was read by the jury Monday afternoon June 5, 2017 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif. in the murder of Sierra LaMar. Antolin Garcia-Torres will recieve life in prison without the possibility of parole for the convicted murder of LaMar in 2012. Brian Feulner, Special to the Chronicle
lessFrom left, Steve LaMar, Beth Banda and Marlene LaMar listen during a press conference after the sentencing verdict was read by the jury Monday afternoon June 5, 2017 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, Calif.
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Sierra LaMar’s killer gets life in prison without chance of parole
Prosecutors won a conviction against Garcia-Torres despite Sierra’s body not being recovered. Sierra’s mother said she hoped that Garcia-Torres would someday “make it right by being honest with himself and his family, our family and with God.”
“He will continue to live in bondage as long as he lives his life,” Marlene LaMar said outside the San Jose courthouse. “I feel at peace that he will not be on the streets to harm another child, but the angst will be in our lives forever.”
Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith added that if Garcia-Torres “has one shred of humanity,” he would would tell authorities where to find Sierra’s body.
“We’ve remained unwavering in our dedication to finding Sierra,” Smith said. “Out investigators ... will carry on until Sierra’s family and friends can give her a proper goodbye.”
Garcia-Torres’ attorneys pleaded passionately for mercy before the jury went to deliberate, while prosecutors argued death was the appropriate punishment for kidnapping and killing the Ann Sobrato High School sophomore.
“The jury made it so he will die in prison and never take another breath as a free man,” said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. “This child murderer will never hurt another person, nor another family, nor another community.
“Today is a day of significance and sadness. There is no joy in this verdict, only mourning the death of a child who was murdered — a void that will forever ache and can never be filled.”
Sierra disappeared while walking to a school bus on March 16, 2012, and what started as a missing person case soon turned into a murder investigation.
In the days after she vanished, Sierra’s clothes and cell phone were found in fields near her home.
DNA on her jeans led investigators to Garcia-Torres, who said he had been driving in the area where Sierra disappeared but denied any involvement in the incident.
While Sierra’s body has not been discovered, evidence found in Garcia-Torres’ car — including Sierra’s DNA and hair — linked him to the girl.
During the separate guilt phase of the trial, Garcia-Torres was found guilty of kidnapping and killing Sierra and of three separate attempted kidnappings from 2009.
Testimony from Sierra’s family and friends in the penalty phase brought many in the packed courtroom to tears. Prosecutors highlighted how Sierra’s death has impacted her family and the South Bay community as they urged the jury to choose the ultimate punishment.
Hoping to spare his life, Garcia-Torres’ attorneys showed pictures of him as a boy, while describing his tortured childhood.
Garcia-Torres’ mother and sister described growing up in an abusive home with an alcoholic father. Garcia-Torres’ father has since been convicted of molesting another child in the home.
The attorneys even suggested pesticides in the strawberry fields where Garcia-Torres grew up may have impacted the young man.
Garcia-Torres has not admitted committing the crime, and his attorneys sought to evoke some lingering doubt about his guilt with the jury.
Defense attorneys left the courthouse Monday without commenting on the jury’s decision.
As Garcia-Torres’ mother, Laura Torres, left the courthouse, she was asked if she was relieved the jury spared her son’s life. “Yes,” she said with a wide-eyed expression before getting into a car and leaving.
California has not executed an inmate in more than a decade after a federal judge blocked executions in 2006. Since then, the punishment has been largely symbolic.
But in November, voters approved Proposition 66, a law to speed up the legal process before executions. Officials, meanwhile, have taken measures to address concerns with how executions were being carried out in the state’s only death chamber in San Quentin State Prison.
“Today justice was served,” Sheriff Smith said. “Nothing can be done to bring Sierra back but today Antolin Garcia-Torres will be held accountable for the cold-blooded murder of Sierra and bring some solace to us all.”
Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Sierra-LaMar-s-killer-gets-life-in-prison-11197394.php
