Armando Cruz, the man accused in the rape and murder of 13-year-old Patricia Alatorre last summer, appeared in a Kern County court room Tuesday morning after his attorneys removed themselves from his case. Cruz will now be represented by the public defender's office
Remembering Patricia Alatorre, one year later
and last updated 2021-07-03 02:34:13-04
For some, Patricia Alatorre is known as âBakersfield s daughter.â She has been gone from the community for exactly a year now, but a march from 19th and L streets to the Liberty Bell in Bakersfield, Thursday night showed sheâs not forgotten.
âI have a daughter her age, her daughter that passed, and itâs just very meaningful to me,â Kathya Najera, a close friend to Patricia Alatorreâs mother, said.
She created a balloon bouquet in Patriciaâs honor, as Thursday marked exactly a year since the 13-year-old was taken from her family and the community that calls her daughter. Najera said the bouquet represents many things.
Bakersfield and Kern County will ultimately be judged for the character, determination and rich diversity of its residents. As the year comes to a close, we look back at notable figures from Bakersfield and Kern County whose loss we have mourned in 2020. They were business people, entertainers, builders, police officers and public servants. The list includes a priest, an architect, a basketball coach, a talk radio personality, a journalist and a designer of community gardens. One of those who passed this year was only 11. Another had just turned 17. All were extraordinary in some way. All are worth remembering.
CHARLES FUZZY OWEN