Man Pleads Not Guilty to Rape, Murder Charges

A 19-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Orange County Superior Court to rape and murder charges stemming from the death of a 79-year-old Stanton woman who told authorities that she lost the will to live after being sexually assaulted nearly a year ago.

Jose Alonso Garcia was raping Mary Lee Ward when he was captured by Orange County sheriff’s deputies about 2:30 a.m. on May 22, 1992, officials have charged. Deputy Dist. Atty. David R. La Bahn sought an unusual murder indictment against Garcia after Ward died one month later, on June 23.

Ward was a “feisty grandmotherly type” who told a rape therapist that she did not think she could continue living after being sexually violated, La Bahn said.

Deputy Public Defender Leonard Gumlia said Thursday that he believes that the charges are exaggerated. “There’s no evidence to believe that he caused her death or shortened her life,” he said.

Ward, an apartment manager, tried to chase Garcia from the complex’s swimming pool and was allegedly followed by him when she returned to her apartment to call police, La Bahn said.