Arraignment Postponed for Garcia-Aquino in Murder of Teen Hernandez

The arraignment of Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, a youth soccer coach accused of murdering 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez, has been postponed to June 18, intensifying the anguish of the victim's family who are demanding swift justice. Hernandez's body was discovered in Oxnard five days after he went missing following a visit to Garcia-Aquino, who now faces murder charges with special circumstances for lewd acts with a child, as well as separate felony charges for sexual assaults against other minors dating back to 2022 and 2024. The delays in proceedings highlight persistent case backlogs in the Los Angeles County legal system, though District Attorney Nathan Hochman claims recent efforts have begun to reduce these backlogs. The family's attorney and Hernandez’s mother have publicly expressed frustration with the slow pace of justice, emphasizing the ongoing pain and danger posed by Garcia-Aquino. Authorities have not released specific details about Hernandez’s cause of death or a motive, but if convicted, Garcia-Aquino could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. The case has also drawn attention to concerns about systemic failures in handling prior allegations and protecting vulnerable youth.