Conviction overturned in 2012 killing of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar

An appellate court ruled that jurors were prejudiced by the grouping of Sierra's killing with three other attempted kidnappings during the 2017 trial.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 2:23am

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An appellate court has overturned the conviction of Antolin Garcia-Torres in the 2012 killing of 15-year-old Sierra LaMar, ruling that jurors were prejudiced by the grouping of Sierra's abduction with three other attempted kidnappings Garcia-Torres was accused of. The court said the four cases were "weak" on their own and that the consolidation likely altered the outcome. Sierra's body was never found, and authorities never definitively established a murder weapon or crime scene, which hampered the prosecution's case against Garcia-Torres.

Why it matters

This case has been closely watched in the Bay Area for nearly a decade, and the overturning of the conviction raises new questions about the handling of the investigation and prosecution. It also highlights the challenges of securing convictions in high-profile murder cases without a body or clear evidence of a crime scene.

The details

Garcia-Torres, a former Safeway clerk, was convicted in 2017 of Sierra's kidnapping and presumed murder, as well as three other attempted kidnappings from 2009. The appellate court ruled that the grouping of these four "weak" cases likely prejudiced the jury, and that the trial court abused its discretion in denying a motion to sever the charges. The court noted that Sierra's body was never found, raising questions about the fact of her death, and that none of the three Safeway victims positively identified Garcia-Torres.

  • Sierra LaMar disappeared on her way to high school in March 2012.
  • Garcia-Torres was arrested five days after Sierra went missing in 2012.
  • Garcia-Torres was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to life in prison.
  • The appellate court overturned the conviction this week in 2026.

The players

Antolin Garcia-Torres

A 34-year-old former Safeway clerk who was convicted in 2017 of Sierra LaMar's kidnapping and presumed murder, as well as three other attempted kidnappings from 2009. His conviction has now been overturned.

Sierra LaMar

A 15-year-old girl who disappeared on her way to high school in Morgan Hill, California in 2012. Her body was never found, and the case against Garcia-Torres was hampered by the lack of a clear crime scene or murder weapon.

Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that led the investigation into Sierra LaMar's disappearance and the prosecution of Antolin Garcia-Torres.

Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office

The prosecutor's office that convicted Antolin Garcia-Torres in 2017, but now must decide whether to appeal the appellate court's ruling or retry the case.

Adrienne Grover

The acting presiding justice of the 6th District Court of Appeals who wrote the ruling overturning Garcia-Torres' conviction.

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What’s next

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office could appeal Friday's ruling to the California Supreme Court, or return the case to Santa Clara County Superior Court for a retrial. Garcia-Torres remains incarcerated, but he could 'ask the new trial judge to address bail like any defendant can,' according to a district attorney spokesperson.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of securing convictions in high-profile murder cases without a body or clear evidence of a crime scene. The appellate court's ruling raises new questions about the handling of the investigation and prosecution, and underscores the importance of ensuring fairness and due process, even in cases that have captivated public attention for years.