Day 7: Testimony continues in the trial of the Church City man accused of four murders

WEEK 2 IN COURT:

It was the second week of the four murder trial in Palm Springs. Jose Larin-Garcia, a Cathedral City man, is accused of murdering four people (17-25 years old): Carlos Campos, Jacob Montgomery, Yuliana Garcia and Juan Duarte Raya.

The victims were all found shot dead on the night of February 3, 2019.

Three of the victims were found inside a crashed car on Sunny Dunes and El Placer streets. The fourth victim was discovered on the street a few blocks away.

On Tuesday of this week, the court heard two police officers respond on the night of the murder. One person testified he saw a ‘tall, thin’ figure running near one of the crime scenes, but the person was never found or brought in for questioning. Larin-Garcia is not described as tall or thin. The court also received word from a family friend of Larin-Garcia, who helped him buy a one-way ticket to Florida the day after the murder. Larin-Garcia was arrested before he could depart.

On Monday, the court heard a number of witnesses including a neighbor, a police detective and an old friend of the defendant. The friend shared that Larin-Garcia said he wants to rob one of the victims before killing.

WEEK 1 IN COURT:

Last week on Monday, the prosecution their opening statement. On Tuesday, defense issued their opening statement, argued another man, John Olvera, was responsible for the deaths of four people.

Several witnesses were called to the stand, including a Palm Springs Police Department Coordinating Supervisor, several neighbors who heard gunfire or saw the victim’s body, and individuals Who knows the victims? individual. The court also knows that 17-year-old victim Yuliana Garcia is pregnant at the time of her death.

Madison Weil of News Channel 3 returned to court today to listen to witnesses. While our cameras are not allowed inside the courtroom, you can watch a detailed live report of Monday’s trial at 5 and 6 p.m. on News Channel 3.

You can also follow her live updates from the court on Twitter.