CA PATRICIA ALATORRE: Missing from Bakersfield, CA - 1 July 2020 - Age 13 *Found Deceased**GUILTY PLEA*

Bakersfield police searching for missing 13-year-old girl

The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community's help in finding a missing 13-year-old girl.

Police say Patricia Alatorre was last seen on Wednesday might near Hosking Avenue and Wible Road.

Police describe Alatorre as a Hispanic female about 5 feet tall, weighing about 90 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

A white older model pick-up truck was seen in the area at the time she went missing.

Bakersfield police searching for missing 13-year-old girl

The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community's help in finding a missing 13-year-old girl.

www.turnto23.com

BPD detained a man in the case of a missing 13-year-old girl last seen in Bakersfield

The Bakersfield Police Department have detained a man Sunday, who may be involved in the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl.

www.turnto23.com

BPD detained a man in the case of a missing 13-year-old girl last seen in Bakersfield

The Bakersfield Police Department have detained a man Sunday, who may be involved in the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl.

BPD said the man is the owner of the white, older model pick up truck seen leaving Hosking Avenue and Wible Road Wednesday night, at the same time and location Patricia Alatorre was last seen.

The man was found in Los Angeles County by local authorities there.

BPD said they are investigating his involvement in the incident.


MEDIA - PATRICIA ALATORRE: Missing from Bakersfield, CA since 1 July 2020 - Age 13

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Lawyers for the man accused of killing Patricia Alatorre remove themselves

The man accused of killing Patricia Alatorre was in court Tuesday, and will now need new defense attorneys.

www.turnto23.com

Lawyers for the man accused of killing Patricia Alatorre remove themselves​

The man accused of killing Patricia Alatorre was in court Tuesday, and will now need new defense attorneys.

Armando Cruz had a hearing Tuesday morning where his defense attorneys removed themselves from the ongoing case. The lawyers were based in Los Angeles.

Another hearing is scheduled a week from now, on December 21st.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Public Defender’s office appointed to represent accused killer of Patricia Alatorre

The Kern County Public Defender’s office has been appointed to represent the Inglewood man accused of raping and killing 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre.

www.kget.com

Public Defender’s office appointed to represent accused killer of Patricia Alatorre​

The Kern County Public Defender’s office has been appointed to represent the Inglewood man accused of raping and killing 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre.

Chief Deputy Public Defender Tanya Richard confirmed in court Tuesday that she and Deputy Public Defender Thomas Pope will represent Armando Cruz going forward, taking over for two Los Angeles attorneys who requested to be removed from the case.

Richard asked the court to set a status conference a month from now to give her time to meet with Cruz and discuss the case.

Superior Court Judge Colette M. Humphrey set a hearing for Jan. 25, where a new trial date will be scheduled.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Hearing continued to March for man accused in rape, murder of 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre

A hearing to schedule a trial date for the man accused of rape and murder in the death of 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre was continued Tuesday.

www.bakersfield.com

Hearing continued to March for man accused in rape, murder of 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre​

A hearing to schedule a trial date for the man accused of rape and murder in the death of 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre was continued Tuesday.

Attorneys are scheduled to convene March 1 to set a trial date for Inglewood man Armando Cruz, 25. The defendant could face the death penalty, if convicted.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Man accused of killing Patricia Alatorre arraigned on new indictment

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Inglewood man accused of raping and killing Patricia Alatorre was arraigned Thursday on an indictment that takes the place of the previous one filed in his ca…

www.kget.com

Man accused of killing Patricia Alatorre arraigned on new indictment​

The Inglewood man accused of raping and killing Patricia Alatorre was arraigned Thursday on an indictment that takes the place of the previous one filed in his case.

The superseding indictment filed against Armando Cruz does not add new charges but addresses a new law, said Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kinzel.

Under SB 567, which took effect in January, a jury must make findings on circumstances in aggravation — factors which are taken under consideration at sentencing and, if found true, typically lead to a harsher penalty. Previously, circumstances in aggravation were not required to be specifically alleged in a criminal complaint and didn’t require jury findings for the sentencing judge to consider them, Kinzel said.

Among those alleged against Cruz are that the crime “involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness;” the victim was particularly vulnerable; the crime was carried out with planning, sophistication, or professionalism; and the crime involved a large quantity of contraband. It’s alleged Cruz possessed more than 600 images of child pornography, including 10 or more images of a minor under 12.

A jury must find those and other circumstances in aggravation included in the indictment true beyond a reasonable doubt for a judge to consider them at sentencing if Cruz is found guilty. He’s due back in court Tuesday.

Inglewood man pleads not guilty at arraignment for indictment

An Inglewood man alleged to have raped and killed 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre was arraigned for an indictment on a murder charge Thursday.

www.bakersfield.com

Inglewood man pleads not guilty at arraignment for indictment​

An Inglewood man alleged to have raped and killed 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre was arraigned for an indictment on a murder charge Thursday.

Public defender Tanya Richard entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of her client Armando Cruz and denied all enhancements. She also acknowledged the indictment superseded the original case filed by the Kern County DA's office.

Cruz, 25, was initially arrested in July 2020 and pleaded not guilty. While Cruz was awaiting his preliminary hearing, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office sought and received a grand jury indictment for the murder suspect in October 2021.

The prosecutor and defense attorney agreed to meet on March 1 to potentially set a trial date.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Next hearing in killing of girl, 13, set for June

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Inglewood man accused of raping and killing Patricia Alatorre won’t have a trial date scheduled until a hearing in mid-June. Chief Deputy Public Defende…

www.kget.com

Next hearing in killing of girl, 13, set for June​

The Inglewood man accused of raping and killing Patricia Alatorre won’t have a trial date scheduled until a hearing in mid-June.

Chief Deputy Public Defender Tanya Richard, representing Armando Cruz, said in court Tuesday co-counsel Thomas Pope won’t be back in the office until then. The circumstances of his absence were not discussed.

Superior Court Judge Colette M. Humphrey set a hearing for June 15 where it’s expected a trial date will be scheduled.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Man arrested in death of Patricia Alatorre described her killing in detail, gave locations of where he left her body and cellphone: reports

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — An Inglewood man who could face the death penalty in connection with the death of a 13-year-old Bakersfield girl told investigators in graphic detail how he kille…

www.kget.com

Armando Cruz, 24, said he left the body of Patricia Alatorre wrapped in a red sleeping bag behind a large construction vehicle in the area of Aviation Boulevard and West 118th Street in Inglewood, the documents say. Investigators learned the body of an unidentified female had been found there the night of July 3, and the details from the crime scene were “extremely similar” to what detectives had learned from Cruz, including that her body had been set on fire.

Body of Woman Found Inside Sleeping Bag After Fire Extinguished Near Inglewood

Authorities Friday morning investigated the death of a woman found inside a sleeping bag after a fire was extinguished in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County near Hawthorne and Inglewood. Deputies from the South Los Angeles station and Los Angeles County firefighters responded to a fire...

www.nbclosangeles.com

Body of Woman Found Inside Sleeping Bag After Fire Extinguished Near Inglewood​

By City News Service • Published July 3, 2020 • Updated on July 3, 2020 at 12:22 pm​

Authorities Friday morning investigated the death of a woman found inside a sleeping bag after a fire was extinguished in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County near Hawthorne and Inglewood.
Deputies from the South Los Angeles station and Los Angeles County firefighters responded to a fire call in the 11800 block of Aviation Boulevard, south of the Century (105) Freeway, at 9:10 p.m. Thursday and found the victim, who was in a sleeping bag and on fire, according to Deputy James Nagao of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner

mec.lacounty.gov

PATRICIA ALATORRE​

May 14, 2007 - July 2, 2020
(13 years )

Case Number​

2020-05880

Case Status​

CLOSED

Body Status​

READY

Gender​

FEMALE

Ethnicity​

HISPANIC/LATIN AMERICAN

Place of Death​

PARKING LOT

Manner​

HOMICIDE

Investigator​

EARL

Deputy Medical Examiner​

DR. HUSS-BAWAB

Cause A​

HOMICIDAL VIOLENCE INCLUDNG ASPHYXIA

Cause B​

N/A

Cause C​

N/A

Cause D​

N/A

Other Significant Conditions​

N/A

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Accused killer of Patricia Alatorre set for trial in October

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The man accused of raping and killing 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre is now scheduled to stand trial in October. Armando Cruz, 26, is set for trial Oct. 17 on char…

www.kget.com

Accused killer of Patricia Alatorre set for trial in October​

The man accused of raping and killing 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre is now scheduled to stand trial in October.

Armando Cruz, 26, is set for trial Oct. 17 on charges including first-degree murder and rape. Judge Colette M. Humphrey scheduled the date after a brief discussion with attorneys Wednesday.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Jury selection discussed as trial date approaches for Patricia Alatorre’s accused killer

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Trial is expected to begin in October for a man accused of raping and murdering a Bakersfield teen, a judge Wednesday telling attorneys to start preparing jury qu…

www.kget.com

Jury selection discussed as trial date approaches for Patricia Alatorre’s accused killer​

Trial is expected to begin in October for a man accused of raping and murdering a Bakersfield teen, a judge Wednesday telling attorneys to start preparing jury questionnaires and maintain communication.

“These cases involve a lot of work,” Judge John Oglesby told attorneys working the case of Armando Cruz, who faces the death penalty if convicted as charged in the grisly slaying of 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre.


Attorneys on both sides said they had not yet begun jury questionnaires, and Oglesby said his clerk will provide one he’s used in the past and asked they follow its format, including a question at the end regarding anything a potential juror would like to discuss in private. Jurors who indicate they want a private discussion will be seen the next day.

It should take at most a month to select a jury panel, Oglesby said.

The judge recommended choosing five or six alternate jurors. He said if a defendant in a death penalty case is found guilty there are typically one or two jurors who call in sick or otherwise don’t show when deliberations begin on whether the defendant should be sentenced to death or life without parole.

Attorneys agreed to a motions hearing on Oct. 4. A trial date of Oct. 17 remains, but Oglesby said he doesn’t expect jury selection to begin that day. Instead, it’s likely they’ll take several days finalizing the questionnaire and coming up with a trial schedule.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Man charged with rape, murder of Patricia Alatorre pleads guilty to all charges

The rape and murder of sweet, spunky and intelligent 13-year-old Bakersfield girl Patricia Alatorre sparked outrage from thousands. On Tuesday, the Inglewood man charged in her death pleaded guilty to

www.bakersfield.com

Man charged with rape, murder of Patricia Alatorre pleads guilty to all charges​

The rape and murder of sweet, spunky and intelligent 13-year-old Bakersfield girl Patricia Alatorre sparked outrage from thousands. On Tuesday, the Inglewood man charged in her death pleaded guilty to all charges, circumstances in aggravation and enhancements — more than two years after her body was found abandoned in Inglewood.

For about an hour, Deputy District Attorney Tyson McCoy read off 11 charges against Armando Cruz, who then admitted guilt to each one. Cruz, 26, looked down and was barely audible while pleading guilty to first-degree murder, rape, sex acts with a minor, sexual assault with a minor and having sexual content of a minor.

Cruz is anticipated to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after the DA’s office agreed to waive the death penalty, said Deputy District Attorney Christine Antonios.

"You have engaged in violent conduct, which indicates a serious danger to society," Deputy District Attorney Tyson McCoy said when reading the charges.

A gag order precludes all attorneys from speaking on the case. Public Defenders Tanya Richard and Thomas Pope represented Cruz after he was dropped by his LA-based attorneys in December 2021.

Patricia Alatorre’s mother, Clara Alvarez, sobbed as McCoy read the murder charge in a Kern County Superior courtroom. The hearing was attended by Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer and Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kinzel. Zimmer had said at Cruz’s arraignment she would prosecute the case.

The allegations also included Cruz admitting he had 10 or more images involving a minor under 12 years old and 600 pornographic images involving a minor younger than 18 years old.

Cruz told officers with the Los Angeles Police Department he had sex with Alatorre, killed her and then burned her body, according to The Californian's previous reporting.

Sentencing was set for Nov. 1. Antonios said there will be several victim impact statements read at that time.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Man charged with rape, murder of Patricia Alatorre pleads guilty to all charges

The rape and murder of sweet, spunky and intelligent 13-year-old Bakersfield girl Patricia Alatorre sparked outrage from thousands. On Tuesday, the Inglewood man charged in her death pleaded guilty to

www.bakersfield.com

Man charged with rape, murder of Patricia Alatorre pleads guilty to all charges​

The rape and murder of sweet, spunky and intelligent 13-year-old Bakersfield girl Patricia Alatorre sparked outrage from thousands. On Tuesday, the Inglewood man charged in her death pleaded guilty to all charges, circumstances in aggravation and enhancements — more than two years after her body was found abandoned in Inglewood.

For about an hour, Deputy District Attorney Tyson McCoy read off 11 charges against Armando Cruz, who then admitted guilt to each one. Cruz, 26, looked down and was barely audible while pleading guilty to first-degree murder, rape, sex acts with a minor, sexual assault with a minor and having sexual content of a minor.

Cruz is anticipated to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after the DA’s office agreed to waive the death penalty, said Deputy District Attorney Christine Antonios.

"You have engaged in violent conduct, which indicates a serious danger to society," Deputy District Attorney Tyson McCoy said when reading the charges.

A gag order precludes all attorneys from speaking on the case. Public Defenders Tanya Richard and Thomas Pope represented Cruz after he was dropped by his LA-based attorneys in December 2021.

Patricia Alatorre’s mother, Clara Alvarez, sobbed as McCoy read the murder charge in a Kern County Superior courtroom. The hearing was attended by Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer and Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kinzel. Zimmer had said at Cruz’s arraignment she would prosecute the case.

The allegations also included Cruz admitting he had 10 or more images involving a minor under 12 years old and 600 pornographic images involving a minor younger than 18 years old.

Cruz told officers with the Los Angeles Police Department he had sex with Alatorre, killed her and then burned her body, according to The Californian's previous reporting.

Sentencing was set for Nov. 1. Antonios said there will be several victim impact statements read at that time.

I hope they mean WITHOUT parole. Seems as if these days words used in sentences do not have literal meaning.

To this day, I wonder about the secrecy in this case and it continues...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Yes, it does say life WITHOUT parole.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Yes, it does say life WITHOUT parole.

Hard time trusting the wording these days. Since it so often isn't how it ends up later. Life isn't life any longer as they say. I hope we can still count on that one. The "without parole" one I mean.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Man who raped, murdered Patricia Alatorre sentenced to life without possibility of parole

Patricia Alatorre’s heart of gold enchanted those in her orbit — happiness radiated from her core that shined just as brightly as her love of life, her family said.

www.bakersfield.com

Man who raped, murdered Patricia Alatorre sentenced to life without possibility of parole​

Patricia Alatorre’s heart of gold enchanted those in her orbit — happiness radiated from her core that shined just as brightly as her love of life, her family said.

Nicknamed “Slim,” Alatorre never got to graduate from eighth grade after Armando Cruz, 26, raped and murdered her. Cruz, an Inglewood resident, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without parole by a Kern County Superior Court judge for first-degree murder, rape, sex acts with a child, aggravated sexual assault of a minor and contacting a minor to commit a sexual offense and possessing child pornography.

“This child murderer is a cruel and ugly, sick-minded person who should never see the light of day ever again,” according to a letter from Alatorre’s mother, Clara Alvarez, read to the courtroom by a victim advocate.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Man who raped, murdered Patricia Alatorre sentenced to life without possibility of parole

Patricia Alatorre’s heart of gold enchanted those in her orbit — happiness radiated from her core that shined just as brightly as her love of life, her family said.

www.bakersfield.com

Man who raped, murdered Patricia Alatorre sentenced to life without possibility of parole​

Patricia Alatorre’s heart of gold enchanted those in her orbit — happiness radiated from her core that shined just as brightly as her love of life, her family said.

Nicknamed “Slim,” Alatorre never got to graduate from eighth grade after Armando Cruz, 26, raped and murdered her. Cruz, an Inglewood resident, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without parole by a Kern County Superior Court judge for first-degree murder, rape, sex acts with a child, aggravated sexual assault of a minor and contacting a minor to commit a sexual offense and possessing child pornography.

“This child murderer is a cruel and ugly, sick-minded person who should never see the light of day ever again,” according to a letter from Alatorre’s mother, Clara Alvarez, read to the courtroom by a victim advocate.

Glad to hear it. This case bothers me as it was kept and still is highly secretive with little info. I don't mean the awful details, I mean about him, etc. What I think every time I think of it is that maybe he was an illegal and maybe he had prior really bad crimes that he never should have been walking the streets after. Or one or the other. For some reason this case was treated very differently than most. And it has never been explained why.