Police Arrest Man in Grim Sleeper Case

Los Angeles police have arrested Lonnie David Franklin Jr., 57 years old, in the Grim Sleeper serial-murder case, believing him to be responsible for 11 deaths over 30 years. Police used DNA evidence to connect the deaths—which occurred between 1985 and 2007—and Assistant District Attorney Steve Cooley said Franklin’s arrest is the first by Los Angeles police using DNA as an investigative tool. In February, police released a 911 call made more than 20 years ago by a woman who had seen the killer dispose of a body. A period of disability was the reason why no killings occurred between 1988 and 2002. Franklin’s victims were all black, 10 were women, and most were prostitutes. A 12th victim escaped after being shot and raped.