Jonatan Nanita enters not guilty plea in connection with the death of ‘Mimi' Torres-Garcia
A man charged with murder in connection with the death of 11-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres Garcia entered a not guilty plea in court on Wednesday.
Investigators said Jonatan Nanita, as well as Mimi’s mother, Karla Garcia, and aunt, Jackelyn Garcia, are all responsible for abusing and killing Mimi, subsequently hiding her body for over a year.
Nanita’s appearance was quick as his defense decided not to fight the judge’s decision that he should indeed face murder and kidnapping charges.
In January, Nanita faced what’s called a probable cause hearing, where the state argued why kidnapping and murder charges were appropriate to bring forward.
See their arguments from our coverage from inside the courthouse here.
The judge took a few weeks to decide how to proceed, but ultimately ruled that the severe charges Nanita faces are appropriate.
Why might they have chosen to have a probable cause hearing in the first place? NBC Connecticut asked defense attorney Jim Bergenn, who is not affiliated with this case.
“Here, the lawyer was challenging the judge to make a finding of probable cause, knowing that he did not have any specific legal duty. On the other hand, judges know how the community feels. Judges also know that the standard for probable cause is a pretty light standard,” said Bergenn.
Instead of challenging the decision, the defense accepted it, and now both parties are moving forward with discovery.
Bergenn explained that probable cause hearings are rare enough, so it’s not unusual that the defense wants to move forward. According to Bergenn, a probable cause decision is not indicative of how a jury would see the case, per se, if it went to trial.
“I also believe the case is still going to be a challenging case, because ultimately, a jury has to find beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Bergenn. “You may have some doubts, but is it reasonable? Is it something that would cause you to hesitate?”
Nanita is due back in court in mid-May.
Karla and Jackelyn are due in court on Friday.
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