Garcia murder trial began December 5th

The trial linked to the death of 24-year-old Alexis Garcia of Plainville on March 19th of last year, got underway Thursday afternoon at the Rooks County Courthouse, after a jury was seated that morning. An influx of traffic made its way to Stockton last Wednesday morning as those called for jury selection filled every parking space in a block-wide area around the Courthouse.

Alifonso Eduardo Garcia, 37, of Plain-ville was arrested a few minutes after his wife's body was found in their home in Plainville. He has been in the custody of the Rooks County Sheriff here in Stockton since that date, on a bond of $1 million. The office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt charged Garcia in April of 2018 with Murder In the First Degree, with a Domestic Violence Designation.

District Judge Blake Bittel, Hays, is hearing the case. District Magistrate Douglas Bigge of Stockton recused himself from the proceedings soon after the charge was filed, as his brother was employed with Mrs. Garcia at the Stockton Unit of the Norton Correctional Facility, and he wished to avoid any appearance of conflict or impropriety. Hays attorney Paul Oller is Garcia's court-appointed counsel.

Though the trial was scheduled to be completed this Tuesday, at press time the proceedings were still ongoing. Watch for details and the verdict in next week's issue of the Sentinel.