Death penalty to be sought in Sierra LaMar slaying case

SAN FRANCISCO —  The Santa Clara County district attorney announced Monday that he will seek the death penalty against a man accused of kidnapping and murdering 15-year-old Sierra LaMar, a Morgan Hill girl who disappeared on her way to school more than two years ago.

Her body has not been found.

A grand jury indicted Antolin Garcia-Torres, 23, on the charges this year. He was also indicted on charges of attempting to kidnap three other women in 2009. He has pleaded not guilty.

Sierra left for school the morning of March 16, 2012, but she never arrived. A day later, deputies found her cellphone; the day after that, they located her black-and-pink Juicy Couture purse — with her underwear and San Jose Sharks jersey folded neatly inside.

Physical evidence linked Garcia-Torres to Sierra’s clothing and her DNA was found on items in his vehicle, investigators said. He was arrested in May 2012.

In a brief statement, Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen said he had communicated his decision to the court, defense counsel and Sierra’s family.

“Given the facts of this case and after a comprehensive review by a committee of senior prosecutors, I have concluded that this defendant should face the ultimate penalty,” he said.

The decision was made by a death penalty review committee that includes Rosen and other top prosecutors.

Garcia-Torres had declined to enter a plea to charges for more than a year. As a result, Rosen took the case to the grand jury. That indictment, handed down in February, ensured that the matter could proceed directly to trial without a preliminary hearing.

Garcia-Torres’ attorney could not be reached for comment Monday.

Sierra’s disappearance triggered an outpouring of volunteer support. Turning out to help search for her were members of the public, families of other kidnapped loved ones whose bodies had been located, and a young woman who had been kidnapped as a child and escaped her captor.

Smaller volunteer search crews continue the task each Saturday.

Keith LaMar, Sierra’s cousin, said Monday that the family “definitely supports” Rosen’s decision to seek the death penalty against Garcia-Torres, saying they are “glad that he has chosen to do the right thing.”

Legal analysts speculated that the prospect of the death penalty might be used as leverage in an attempt to locate Sierra’s body.

lee.romney@latimes.com