The suspect in the 2018 killing of a Longmont woman faces his arraignment on Oct. 6, a Boulder District judge ruled Wednesday morning.
Judge Thomas Mulvahill agreed to the Oct. 6 arraignment at the request of the lawyers for Juan Jose Figueroa Jr., who was indicted in June for the murder of Rita Gutierrez-Garcia. Figueroa Jr., faces charges of first degree murder after deliberation, felony murder and second-degree kidnapping, according to court documents.
Figueroa’s lawyers told Mulvahill Wednesday during an audio session, that they are still awaiting results of DNA testing related to the case. Figueroa is currently serving a 93 years-to-life sentence for a separate sexual assault case at the Buena Vista Correctional Facility.
Figueroa spoke briefly during Wednesday’s session, indicating he understood the proceedings.
Mulvahill said he wants Figueroa to be present via video for the arraignment, in which he will be formally advised of the charges filed against him. Afterward, defendants are given an opportunity to enter a plea of not guilty, guilty or no contest.
Figueroa was considered the main suspect in the disappearance of Gutierrez-Garcia who, more than three years ago, left 3’s Bar in Longmont in the early morning hours after celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends.
There are accounts of Gutierrez-Garcia interacting with Figueroa inside the bar around 1:30 a.m. An hour later, her cousin saw Gutierrez-Garcia in a parking lot behind the bar, this is the last time she was seen. Witnesses placed Figueroa in the same area at the same time, according to court documents. Gutierrez-Garcia is presumed dead.
During the investigation, police discovered that Gutierrez-Garcia’s phone followed the same path as Figueroa’s truck, which was caught on camera in at least two different Longmont locations.
Figueroa became the suspect of interest in the case, however, when police asked to talk to him, they learned he had fled to Mexico. A few weeks later, he attempted to cross back into the U.S. when he was arrested at the border for a warrant issued for the sexual assault of another victim, also a Longmont resident.
For this crime, Figueroa is currently serving the 93 year-to-life sentence.
