Ruben Torres Jr., accused of killing a 13-year old Harlingen girl who disappeared in 2007 and whose body was never recovered, will face a criminal trial on a capital murder charge in March.
Torres waived his right to arraignment Thursday morning in the 103rd state District Court in Brownsville, pleading not guilty to capital murder and murder charges in the death of Abigail Estrada.
Torres, who was 17 at the time, was dating Estrada when she disappeared June 16, 2007. He was certified to stand trial as an adult in December 2015.
Torres, formerly from Harlingen, is now 25 years old.
Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz said the case was one of several that his cold-case unit reopened.
Torres’ trial is scheduled to begin March 21.
