Crime

The motorist suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol when he struck a man who died as a result of the accident last fall was in court Tuesday, but his hearing was postponed. 

UPDATE: Dennis Leffew, the San Jose driver who was recently charged with vehicular manslaughter in the Nov. 6 crash that killed Gavilan College basketball player Andrel Gaines, turned himself in Monday and is being held on a $250,000 bail in the San Mateo County Jail, according to Karen Guidotti, chief deputy with the San Mateo County DA’s Office. 

Santa Clara County law enforcement officials announced Thursday they found a purse containing “neatly folded” clothing that belonged to missing 15-year-old Sierra LaMar, and they expanded their search by covering a larger area in north Morgan Hill, and devoting search dogs and other resources to the efforts.

Ranchers discovered the body of 52-year-old Martha Gutierrez Thursday morning in the rolling hills of San Benito County, about 50 feet off the side of Highway 156 near Highway 152, according to Jaime Rios of the California Highway Patrol.

Law enforcement investigators have interviewed more than 50 teenagers in Morgan Hill and Fremont in hopes of turning up some clues that might lead them to find Sierra LaMar, 15, who has been missing since Friday, authorities said. 

Steve LaMar, father of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar, 15, released a statement Wednesday morning to address the reports of his registration as a sex offender for lewd and lascivious acts with a 14-year-old girl. 

Friends, family and strangers to missing Morgan Hill 15-year-old Sierra LaMar gathered to raise awareness and pray for the teenager’s safe return at a prayer vigil in Morgan Hill Tuesday night.

The case of missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar will be featured on tonight’s “Nancy Grace” show on HLN.