Mht1738

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$1 • Friday, September 22, 2017 • Vol. 123, No. 38 • morganhilltimes.com • Serving Morgan Hill since 1894

Girl’s killer wants to disqualify the judge ATTORNEYS TO ARGUE FOR A NEW TRIAL FOR GARCIA TORRES Michael Moore Editor

Robert Eliason

DANCING AND FUN Dancers from Folklorica Corazon entertain the crowd Sept. 16 at St. Catherine’s Funfest in Morgan Hill.

Carnival for a cause

SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

Chemical Attraction

LOCAL COLLEGE REMOVED 17 FOOTBALL PLAYERS FROM THE TEAM

Tech Trek inspires young women to seek out STEM careers

A section of the Gilroy Dispatch & Morgan Hill Times

Visitors enjoyed tri-tip sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs and French fries as well as an array of carnival dessert foods. The main stage provided live entertainment, including showcases from local youth from Music As Language School; mariachis; and cover bands Hat Jammers and Undercover.

OU T& CA LE AB OU T ND EV EN AR OF TS

Cheeto Barrera

Inside this issue: Tech Trek inspires young women

LION RANCH WINERY P10 | WINTER GARDEN PREP P17 | CAR SHOW P20

58015 02004

➝ More photos, 14

NO HANDS Sophia and Merrill Pelosi enjoy the ride

during the St. Catherine’s Funfest over the weekend.

➝ Sierra, 10

Gavilan punished for recruiting mishaps

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF MORGAN HILL, GILROY & SAN MARTIN

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as they raised funds for the Catholic institution. “We use (the carnival) as an opportunity to bring out our parish community, but also as an opportunity to meet the wider Morgan Hill community,” said John Renaldo, business manager for St. Catherine Church. St. Catherine has been putting on the funfest for more than 10 years, according to Renaldo.

Robert Eliason

About 300 area residents frequented the three-day St. Catherine’s Funfest over the Sept. 15-17 weekend, enjoying carnival rides and games, live entertainment, and beverages and food. Families of St. Catherine Parish and School, 17400 Peak Ave. just outside downtown Morgan Hill, staffed six carnival booths and gave out prizes to patrons, including soccer jerseys and gold fish,

In court Sept. 14 to argue for a new trial for the man convicted of killing Sierra LaMar, defense attorneys unexpectedly filed a motion to disqualify the judge in the case due to a possible conflict of interest from decades ago. Al Lopez, attorney for convicted murderer Antolin Garcia Torres, 26, of Morgan Hill, submitted the motion Sept. 14 to disqualify Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Vanessa Zecher because she previously represented a sheriff ’s sergeant who played a prominent role in the investigation of Sierra’s disappearance. Garcia Torres’ sentencing hearing was scheduled for Sept. 15 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, the same venue where Thursday’s proceedings were heard. However, due to the unexpected filing of the motion to remove Zecher from the case, the sentencing hearing was postponed, according to news reports. Thursday’s hearing was set to argue a separate motion, filed by Lopez Aug. 29, requesting a new trial for Garcia Torres. However, that argument was continued to a future date as well. Zecher presided over the four-month trial for Garcia Torres that ended early this summer. That trial ended with the jury finding Garcia Torres

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Sports Editor

Gavilan College announced its self-imposed sanctions stemming from accusations of recruiting and benefits violations against the school’s football team that resulted in 17 players dismissed in August. The football program will be on probation for three years and will be barred from postseason

play for two years. In addition, the athletics staff will undergo in-service training with Athletic Director Ron Hannon and will give the minutes and the agendas to the Northern California Football Conference for review. Finally, football coach Mike Dovenberg must give monthly reports on the team’s recruiting efforts. Two assistant coaches were also placed on leave pending further investigation into their involvement with the

rules violations. The college said if it is found the two coaches it will take further action up to and including termination will be taken. Gavilan didn’t name the two coaches, but a source familiar with the situation has identified the coaches as Austin Reville and Carlos Woods A source said one of the coaches has stepped down from his position. However, Gavilan said no resignation has been tendered by either of the coaches.

“The college has an opportunity now to ensure that all of our processes are reviewed, and all responsible personnel are provided the training and oversight to ensure that this never again happens at Gavilan College,” said Gavilan President Dr. Kathleen Rose in a press release. Rose went on to say that going forward, athletics recruiting will face much stronger scrutiny, particularly where out-of-state students are concerned. “From the first moment this situation came to

2017 SAN BENITO FOOTBALL PREVIEW

light, my focus, and that of the Athletics Department, and the Board of Trustees was on the welfare of the students,” Rose said. Gavilan sent home all 17 players after the college said it offered them a chance to stay on as students, but were subsequently turned down. The students were given plane tickets or gas cards to return to their homes, as far away as Florida and Virginia. The players came from ➝ Gavilan, 12


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