Jacob Sims murder case preliminary hearing concludes on day four
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) - The preliminary hearing in the murder case of Jacob Sims concluded Monday at the El Centro Courthouse, marking the fourth and final day of testimony.
Prosecutors called several witnesses to the stand to prove there is sufficient evidence to move the case forward to trial.
Ruben Campos, who described himself as a "friend" of Sims, was the first to testify.
Campos stated that in the early morning hours of the day Sims' body was discovered, he picked up three suspects from the scene of the crime: 21-year-old Gabriel Mills Jr., 21-year-old Sadie Hiatt, and 35-year-old Daniel Martinez.
During a May 2025 interview with investigators, Campos reportedly told authorities that he "knew everything" about what happened to Sims.
However, while on the stand Friday, Campos took back that statement, testifying that he did not know anything about the crime beyond picking up the three individuals.
Genia Sims, Jacob Sims' grandmother, expressed skepticism regarding Campos' revised testimony.
"I believe he does know," she said outside the courtroom. "I know that he and Jacob were...'friends,' but he knows more than what he’s saying right now."
In addition to Campos, two members of the Imperial County Sheriff's Office testified, including a lead investigator in the case.
The investigator revealed that newly discovered DNA evidence collected from the trailer where Sims was allegedly tortured is currently being processed.
Despite the ongoing analysis, Sims' family said they remain confident in the strength of the prosecution's case.
"I've been confident all along that there's overwhelming evidence that they have on this case," Genia Sims said.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge held the defendants to answer on all counts and special allegations and ordered that they be held without bail. The ruling means the case will proceed to trial.
"Relief...complete relief that all charges are holding and we're moving forward," Genia Sims said. "Jacob will get his justice."
Arraignment is scheduled to take place March 19 at the El Centro Courthouse.
