Garcia arrested for murder in Wilson case

Mario F. Garcia, 53, was arrested on suspicion of murder Friday morning in connection with the disappearance of 27-year-old Christie Wilson."I can only assume the evidence exceeds beyond a reasonable doubt in order to have a charge of murder," said Garcia's attorney Ron Peters Friday morning. "They better have a case that's ironclad."Officials report that no body has been found. However, prosecutors say DNA evidence from a hair links Garcia to Wilson's disappearance. Forensic evidence was received from the California Department of Justice crime lab Thursday and based on it was that information that prompted Garcia's arrest for murder."We are convinced Mr. Garcia killed Christie Wilson," Lt. George Malim said at a Friday press conference.The suspect's attorneys strongly disagree."Mario Garcia is innocent of murder," said David W. Dratman, co-counsel for the defense. "We have not been shown any evidence that Mario is responsible for either the alleged disappearance of Ms. Wilson or her death."Dratman said an accusation of murder is no substitute for evidence. In the absence of a body and in the absence of evidence beyond any reasonable doubt that there has even been a death, this accusation can not be proven.Malim said no blood evidence was found, but that items removed from Garcia's vehicle and home, coupled with witness statements and the videotape provided enough probable cause to make the arrest.Garcia has been held on $1 million bail at the Placer County Jail on unrelated weapons charges. The Auburn man is now being held without bail."We expect to file charges on Monday for arraignment on Tuesday," said Garen Horst, deputy district attorney for Placer County. "We'll file a complaint next week."Officials remain tight-lipped about the investigation."We won't talk about forensic evidence," Malim said.Wilson, of Sacramento, was last seen on video surveillance tapes leaving the Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln around 1 a.m. Oct. 5 with Garcia. She hasn't been heard from since. Although after extensive searches no body has been located, investigators say they are certain Wilson was killed."You don't need a body to convict someone of murder," Malim said.Officials declared the case a homicide earlier this week and named Garcia as the prime suspect. Investigators have not found a murder weapon nor unveiled how or where she was killed.This does not sit well with Garcia's attorneys."A case like this should not be filed unless the evidence is well beyond the reasonable doubt and irrefutable," Peters said.DNA results confirm that a hair taken from Garcia's white Toyota Camry belonged to Wilson, Malim said. Additionally, trace evidence from Garcia's trunk has been sent to the Department of Justice crime lab in Sacramento and another hair that could belong to Wilson was located in the Garcia home.Results are expected to be returned to the Placer County Sheriff's Department soon.Pat Boyd, Wilson's stepfather and a San Jose detective, has said there is evidence that the missing woman was in Garcia's car. A search, coordinated by the California Robbery Investigators Association, will continue Sunday in the Lincoln area. "We'll work on maps (Friday) and are scheduled to meet everybody at 9 a.m. at the casino," said Jack Baxter, a retired law enforcement officer and search coordinator.The group is not part of the criminal investigation but has offered to help their friend and comrade Officer Boyd find his missing stepdaughter.Garcia was arrested Oct. 14 on weapons charges and is Garcia is scheduled to return to court Oct. 31 for a trial confirming conference. A preliminary hearing is expected to begin Nov. 1 on the weapons charges, however all that could change in light of the new murder charge.The Journal's Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@goldcountrymedia.com.