The Latest: Prosecutor says ‘Grim Sleeper’ killed 5 more

LOS ANGELES – The Latest on the penalty phase in the “Grim Sleeper” murder trial. (all times local):

10:55 a.m.

A Los Angeles prosecutor seeking the death penalty for the man convicted in 10 “Grim Sleeper” murders says he also killed five other women.

Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman told jurors Thursday that one of those additional killings was committed before the series of murders that Lonnie Franklin Jr. was convicted of and involved the same gun that took the life of the final victim.

Defence lawyers postponed presenting an opening statement in their efforts to spare Franklin from capital punishment. Franklin was previously convicted of 10 counts of first-degree murder.

Silverman says Franklin’s first victim was found in an abandoned gas station restroom in 1984. Police later connected the killing of Sharon Dismuke to the gun used to kill Janecia Peters in 2007.

Silverman says that gun was found in Franklin’s garage.

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12:08 a.m.

Los Angeles prosecutors plan to present evidence of five more killings against the man convicted in the “Grim Sleeper” murders.

Prosecutors will begin laying out their case Thursday for the death penalty for Lonnie Franklin Jr. after his convictions in the serial killings that spanned more than two decades.

Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman says she will present testimony from dozens of family members of victims who were affected by the killings. She will also present evidence in slayings of five women that Franklin has not been charged with killing.

Defence lawyers failed to persuade a judge that the evidence should be barred from the penalty phase of trial that could last a month.

Silverman says evidence of five additional killings came to light after Franklin was indicted.