Amador County DA wants to 'set the record straight' on investigation into disappearance of 16-year-old Victoria Marquina
The Amador District Attorney's Office said that it believed there was enough evidence to charge a suspect, but that San Joaquin County DA disagreed.
Author: Samantha Solomon (ABC10)
Updated: 4:41 PM PST December 28, 2020
AMADOR COUNTY, Calif. —
Update:
ABC10 reached out to the San Joaquin DA and received the following statement after the initial story was published:
"As in any homicide prosecution, the San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office has the burden to prove that a homicide occurred and, if so, where it occurred. In a “no body” case, these facts must be proven through circumstantial evidence. Amador County has been conducting an investigation since the victim was reported missing in October 2019. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office was first notified by the Amador County District Attorney’s Office in late November of 2020 of a possible link to this county and an investigation was immediately commenced. At this time, there is conflicting evidence as to whether the victim has been seen alive in Amador County subsequent to her alleged presence in San Joaquin County. Thus, at this time, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office cannot ethically file charges against anyone as there is insufficient evidence to prove whether she was killed and, if so, whether she was killed in San Joaquin County. However, this is an open and active case and will continue to be thoroughly investigated. If it is determined that this county has jurisdiction in that a homicide occurred and was perpetrated here, we will most certainly file charges against any responsible parties at the appropriate time. We are devastated for the family and will do everything in our power to seek justice for the victim."