Suspect in ‘Grim Sleeper’ serial killings set to enter plea in Los Angeles courtroom

Suspect in ‘Grim Sleeper’ killings to enter plea

LOS ANGELES — A man suspected in the “Grim Sleeper” slayings of 10 women is set to be arraigned in a Los Angeles courtroom.

An attorney for Lonnie Franklin Jr. has said he will plead not guilty Monday to 10 charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder.

Private attorney Louisa Pensanti took over two weeks ago for the public defenders assigned to Franklin’s case.

Pensanti says she is working pro bono and has experience handling multiple murder cases.

The judge in the case says the trial process could last three years.

Franklin was arrested last month after authorities said DNA evidence linked the mechanic to the series of killings.

The slayings occurred from 1985 to 1988, and again from 2002 to 2007. The 14-year pause led to the killer’s nickname of the “Grim Sleeper.”