David J. Quiroz, the Hollister man accused in the killing of 25-year-old Heather Carroll, has a hearing set for Thursday at the San Benito County Courthouse.
Quiroz, 33 at the time of the slaying, is suspected in the homicide of Carroll. She went missing Oct. 10 after dropping off her 5-year-old boy at Ladd Lane Elementary School. Two days later, police held a standoff with Quiroz at his home on Cerra Vista Drive before he surrendered and took them to Carroll’s body on the property.
Quiroz, who has pleaded not guilty to the crime, is facing charges on suspicion of homicide and kidnapping for ransom.
He has a preliminary hearing – where a judge would decide if there is enough evidence for a trial – scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 4 at the San Benito County Courthouse. He has a confirmation for that hearing set for 2 p.m. Thursday.
Quiroz is represented by public defender Gregory LaForge, who has challenged the admission given by Quiroz at the scene where authorities found the body.
Quiroz told investigators shortly after his arrest that he had started an argument between the two. Authorities had Quiroz in custody at about 3 a.m. after the overnight standoff. Police allege that Quiroz admitted to the killing and took authorities to her body, recovered at about 5:30 a.m.
In other court matters:
• The Hollister man suspected of arson and trying to set fire to a condominium complex faces a competency hearing Tuesday, along with a pre-preliminary hearing.
Jason W. Spears, 33, is charges on suspicion of four counts of arson after neighbors reported him trying to set fire to a local condominium in early February.
The Hollister Police Department is also investigating whether Spears had any involvement with the recent string of arsons that have occurred in the city since November 2012, when a medical office building was destroyed by arson.
During the early morning hours Feb. 9, a resident of the Gibson Station complex witnessed Spears, who is also a resident there, attempting to set fire to a condominium, police alleged. The witness later spoke to neighbors who confronted and detained Spears before calling police.
Authorities found several areas on multiple condominiums where Spears allegedly attempted to set fire to the units. No serious damage was done. Spears was arrested on charges alleging four counts of arson to an inhabited structure. He was booked into the San Benito County Jail.
Earlier that morning, police also responded to Luminous Salon located at 219 South St. for a similar arson. An exterior wall, interior curtain and light fixture were damaged by fire. Evidence linking Spears to this arson was recovered on him when he was arrested.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is requested to contact Detective Theresa Aguilera at (831) 636-4330. People wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
