Child’s testimony needed in Soria trial

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001 | 9:33 a.m.

They say the girl's testimony would substantiate their theory that Thomas Robert Soria Sr. kept a diary on sexually assaulting, torturing and killing women and girls. They say he followed through by killing 9-year-old Krystal Steadman.

Soria, 39, is scheduled to go to trial on sexual assault, kidnapping and murder charges Jan. 17. Steadman was found dead near U.S. 50 March 20, a day after she disappeared from the Lake Park Apartments in Stateline where Soria also lived.

Deputy District Attorney Kris Brown said in court papers that investigators found a 9-year-old girl who lived at the Lake Park complex in 1999. Brown said Soria lured the girl into his apartment, then removed her clothes and molested her.

Brown wrote in the 10-page motion that the crimes committed by Soria involving the girl and Steadman were remarkably similar.

She said both were lured into Soria's apartment with the promise of a gift and both were sexually molested.

The difference, she added, is that the girl was allowed to leave.