Garcia to stand trial for murder

Mario Garcia was led away in handcuffs Monday from an Auburn courtroom after a judge determined there was sufficient evidence to hold him over for trial in the murder of Christie Wilson.As Judge Larry Gaddis announced to the courtroom that Garcia will be "held to answer," Debbie Boyd, Wilson's mother, said with a sigh of relief, "yes.""We won the playoff and now have to prepare for the big game ahead of us," Boyd said outside Auburn's historic courthouse.Wilson was last seen the leaving Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln at 1:13 a.m. Oct. 4 in Garcia's company. She hasn't been heard from or seen since.It was the prosecution's responsibility during the six-day-long preliminary hearing to show to the court that there is evidence that Wilson was murdered, in light of the fact that her body has not been discovered.Garen Horst, deputy district attorney for Placer County, said in his closing arguments Monday that, "All evidence indicates she's met her demise."The prosecution attempted to demonstrate to the court that Wilson was not the type of person to simply disappear and that she was looking forward to moving with her life.Horst read an excerpt from Wilson's last e-mail to her family and friends in which she wrote, "I feel like a brand new woman... my depression (has) subsided."At this point Boyd's emotions took over and she began to cry."(Garcia) killed her and it's painful to hear in court that your daughter is dead," Pat Boyd said outside the courthouse. "It just hurts."The evidence, although circumstantial, was enough to convince Gaddis to move to the next phase in the judicial process. Horst asked the court when making the decision to consider the inconsistencies in Garcia's explanation for injuries seen on his face and to his eye. Garcia, 53, of Auburn was seen at work by a co-worker Oct. 4 without injuries. A co-worker reportedly described to investigators that on the morning of Oct. 5 Garcia appeared to have been in a fight. Garcia said he had been injured by a tree limb, and told doctors he fell from a tree, according to testimony.Garcia sought medical treatment at least three times for a bruised and scratched eye, poison oak and scratches to his chest that appeared to be claw marks.As Horst described the injuries and how they could have occurred, Garcia, wearing a dress shirt and slacks, began to fidget.Forensic evidence, including a hair found in the trunk of Garcia's Toyota Corolla and one lodged into the passenger-side door handle were matched through DNA analysis to Wilson.Garcia's attorneys, Ron Peters and David Dratman, closed their case by pointing out the rocky relationship Wilson had with her boyfriend of one year, David Burlando. Peters cited the "almost daily domestic violence abuse," between Burlando and Wilson. He contends his client didn't kill Wilson."Do I know what happened to Christie Wilson? No," Peters said. "Neither does Mr. Garcia, but there is insufficient evidence to show foul play."For nearly two months law enforcement and volunteers have searched hundreds of miles of grasslands, lakes, rivers, culverts and mountainous terrain to no avail. A weekend search of an area in Dutch Flat known as "The Diggins" produced nothing in the way of new information. Wilson's body has not been found.Placer County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $35,000 for information leading to Wilson's whereabouts. To provide information, call Crime Stoppers at 800 923-8191. All tips are anonymous.Garcia remains in Placer County Jail on $3 million bail. He is scheduled to return to Placer County Superior Court at 1 p.m. Dec. 20 in Dept. 13 for arraignment on the charge of murder.Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@goldcountrymedia.com.