Victims’ Bill of Rights May Push Murder Trial of ‘Grim Sleeper’

Feb 07, 2015 07:31 AM EST

(Photo : Reuters) Lonnie David Franklin Jr. stands in court with public defender Regina A. Laughney (R) during his arraignment on 10 counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in Los Angeles Criminal Court July 8, 2010. Franklin was arrested on suspicion of carrying out the "Grim Sleeper" serial killings over the past 25 years and has been linked to 11 killings. REUTERS/Al Seib/Pool (UNITED STATES - Tags: CRIME LAW)

The families of victims of Lonnie Franklin Jr., accused of murdering 10 young women over a 13-year period, are tapping Marsy's Law to push for a speedy murder trial. The case has dragged for five years with no set date for a trial due allegedly to the delaying tactics of the defense.

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The law, which spells victims' bill of rights, guarantees kin of victims' speedy trial. Since the law was passed in 2008, it is the first time for the kin of the 10 to use the relatively unknown law, reports the New York Daily News.

The case was filed in 2010 with the Los Angeles Superior Court. Porter Alexander, the 74-year-old father of Alicia Monique Alexander who was 18 when she was allegedly murdered by Franklin, complained that he has been to the court so many times, but until now, there is no trial date set yet. Alicia's corpse was discovered in an alley in Vermont Square in 1988.

The delay, caused by the defense wanting to examine the evidence to be used against Franklin - also known as the "Grim Sleeper" because of the 13 years span of the 10 murders he is accused of.

One frustrated relative, Samara Herald, said in 2013 that the delay is an insult to the memory of her foster sister, 15-year-old Princess Bertomieux, whose naked body was found choked and black-and-blue at Inglewood Alley on March 19, 2002.

Most of the victims are sex trade workers, allegedly killed by Franklin from 1985 through 2007, according to prosecutors. Franklin, arrested in 2010, has filed a "not guilty" plea to the slayings and one count of murder.

Part of the reason for the delay was the difficulty in obtaining evidence to link Franklin to the deaths as well as the judge not being strict on the defense in meeting deadlines.

Prosecutors found the evidence through a DNA obtained from Franklin's jailed son through dishes and utensils the younger Franklin used in a pizza parlor where he attended a birthday party. The DNA sample confirmed the accused DNA at the crime scenes.

LA News reports that Judge Kathleen Kennedy set a summer trial date. Jury selection would start on June 30.