Teen accused of brutally murdering Pocatello woman appears in court
The 18-year-old California teen accused of brutally murdering an 87-year-old Pocatello woman made his first appearance in court Monday.
Dustin Alfaro was arraigned in Bannock County via video conference from the Bannock County Jail after being extradited from California.
He faces one count of first-degree murder for the stabbing death of Arlyne Koehler.
Alfaro was read the charges against him, and he said he did understand those charges.
His request for a public defender was granted.
Judge David Hooste ordered Alfaro to be held on a $1 million bond.
A 17-year-old male accomplice was with Alfaro at the time of the murders.
He remains in jail in California while awaiting extradition.
All of the documents in the case have been sealed so there is very little information being released right now.
Koehler was killed in her home on March 18 or 19.
Her body was found by a family member.
After a massive multi-state manhunt, police had the suspects in custody less than 48 hours after Koehler’s body was discovered.
In a police press conference after the arrests officers declined to comment on how Alfaro and the 17-year-old allegedly gained access to Koehler’s home.
Officers said that considering the brutality of Koehler’s murder, police agencies went all out to bring those responsible to justice.
Alfaro’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 18.
