The “Grim Sleeper” serial killer who committed a total of 10 murders over 20 years received a death sentence Wednesday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
63-year-old Lonnie Franklin Jr. had previously worked for the city as a sanitation worker before he was arrested July 7, 2010 by Los Angeles Police for killing 10 young women, including a teenager. He was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and one count of premeditated murder, with multiple murders considered as special circumstance allegations.
A lengthy six-month trial involved over 15 family members of the victims speaking about the emotional impact of their losses. There was also evidence that linked Franklin to four other murders in the 1984-2006 period and a testimony from one woman who was kidnapped and raped in Germany by Franklin and two other Army soldiers in 1974.
The jury found Franklin guilty on all counts on May 5. Deputy District Attorneys Beth Silverman and Marguerite Rizzo prosecuted the case.