SAN JOSE (KRON) - The man accused in the disappearance of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar is due back in a Santa Clara County courtroom Thursday afternoon.

A week after he was arraigned on murder and kidnapping charges and was appointed a public defender, 21-year-old Antolin Garcia-Torres could enter a plea Thursday on the charges.

Garcia-Torres was arrested on May 21 after authorities said the DNA of Sierra was found inside his car and his DNA was found on the teen's belongings that were recovered shortly after her disappearance.

According to police, Sierra was last seen by her family leaving her Morgan Hill home for school on March 16. While her family remains hopeful that she will be found alive,  authorities believe she was kidnapped and murdered.

Prosecutors say Garcia-Torres, also from Morgan Hill, could be eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

 

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