Teen accused of killing father in court in front of sobbing family



SHEBOYGAN CO. (WITI) -- A Sheboygan teenager accused of killing his own father appeared in court on Wednesday afternoon, February 12th for his preliminary hearing.

Dorian Torres faces a criminal charge of first-degree intentional homicide in the killing of Emilio Torres. Emilio was found dead in an apartment that he shared with Dorian in Sheboygan on January 29th.

Torres' preliminary hearing lasted about an hour -- and featured the testimony of a single Sheboygan police detective.

During the hearing, Torres sat perfectly still for almost an hour -- directly in front of sobbing family members.

Prosecutors say Emilio Torres' ex-wife became suspicious when her son told her his father took off for Texas with a girlfriend, but left behind his car and credit cards for Dorian.

With mounting red flags, the woman went to police.

On January 29th, prosecutors say Emilio Torres' body was found in an "extremely cold" back bedroom in the apartment he had shared with his son -- underneath a box spring, wrapped up.

In court on Wednesday, February 12th, Torres' lawyer asked for the case to be thrown out due to insufficient evidence -- but a judge disagreed.

A detective told the court his investigators were able to track the duct tape allegedly used by Dorian Torres to wrap up his father. The detective indicated his team used a serial number from the duct tape to find out it was bought at a Walmart store. He also said surveillance video from the store shows Dorian Torres buying the duct tape.

The detective also told the court his investigation showed Torres used his cell phone to do some Google searches. Those searches included "how farmers dispose of dead animals" and "what are the most flammable items in my home."

"I guess he couldn't figure out how to get rid of the body, so he just sat there and thought it would go away by itself," Sheboygan County District Attorney Joe DeCecco said.

The Torres family declined to talk after the preliminary hearing.

Dorian Torres is scheduled to enter his plea on February 27th. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

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