Eighty-five names listed on Soria Sr. witness list

Douglas County prosecutors may call more than 85 witnesses to testify against Thomas Soria Sr. if his case goes to trial.

The names of the possible witnesses are on a document filed Tuesday in District Court that lists the charges against Soria Sr. He is accused of murder with a deadly weapon, first degree kidnapping with substantial bodily harm and two counts of sexual assault with substantial bodily harm in the death of Krystal Steadman, 9.

Soria Sr. was bound over for trial on the charges May 9, at the conclusion of a two-day hearing to determine whether prosecutors had enough evidence for a trial.

The same day, his son, Thomas Soria Jr., 19, pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping in Krystal's death. Under an agreement with prosecutors, Soria Jr. won't face the death penalty but could be asked to testify against his father.

Soria Jr.'s name is on the witness list. So are the names of dozens of law enforcement officers from Douglas County and surrounding areas, the Sacramento, Calif., police department, area residents and even a California State Lottery Commission worker.

Sixteen of the potential witnesses, identified only by their initials, are children. A total of 88 names are on the list.

Krystal disappeared March 19 from the Stateline apartment complex where the Sorias lived. She had been visiting the complex with her mother.

Her body was found a day later on an embankment below Highway 50 west of Carson City. A pathologist at the preliminary hearing said the girl appeared to have been bound and beaten, and the judge called the injuries torture.

Soria Sr. is to be arraigned June 6 in Douglas District Court. His son is to be sentenced in July.

Both are in jail without bail.