serial killer

Apr 1 2011

John Floyd Thomas Jr.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A 74-year-old man pleaded guilty today to the sexually motivated killings of seven women in the Southland during the 1970s and '80s and was immediately sentenced to seven life prison terms, one without the possibility of parole.

John Floyd Thomas Jr.—nicknamed the Westside Rapist—pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree murder involving victims who ranged in age from 56 to 80 years old.

Dec 16 2010

Approximately 180 women pictured

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Photographs of about 180 women seized from the "Grim Sleeper'' serial killer suspect were posted online today by the Los Angeles Police Department to determine whether any of them may have been victims.

The photographs were found at the home Lonnie David Franklin Jr. after he was arrested July 8 on suspicion of killing at least 10 young women and one man in South Los Angeles between 1985 and 2007.

The suspect was dubbed the Grim Sleeper because of a long gap between killings.

Gregg Reese  |   OW Staff Writer
Nov 18 2010

More victims likely as task force sifts through evidence

Although Lonnie Franklin, the defendant in the Grim Sleeper murders that plagued South Los Angeles over the past two decades, has been in custody for more than three months, the “800” Task Force charged with solving the carnage is still embroiled in the investigation, according to Bill Fallon, one of the eight officers assigned to the investigative unit. The detective granted Our Weekly an interview in between treks to Mississippi and Northern California to tie up loose ends in this ever-expanding multiple homicide case.

Nov 17 2010

One year as chief

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Looking over his first year as police chief today, Charlie Beck said it had been a professionally rewarding but emotionally difficult 12 months.

"I am very very optimistic about this organization,'' Beck said in a briefing in police headquarters attended by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

"Los Angeles is safer today, one year after the appointment of Charlie Beck ...,'' Villaraigosa said.

Joseph Wright  |   OW Senior Staff Writer
Jul 8 2010

Grim Sleeper arrest wraps up decade’s-long investigation

After killing 10 Black women and at least one Black man in South Central Los Angeles for almost 25 years,  a man suspected of being the so-called “Grim Sleeper” was arrested yesterday by the Los Angeles Police Department.
 
The Robbery-Homicide Division of the LAPD took 57-year-old Lonnie David Franklin Jr. into custody at his home on 81st Street near Western Avenue. His arrest is the culmination of an investigation that began more than two decades ago.
 

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
California
Yvette Hollingsworth was recently named chief compliance officer for Wells Fargo & Co. Hollingsworth, who most recently served as managing director and global head of operations compliance and financial crimes compliance & risk management for Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank, will begin her new role on June 1, 2012. Hollingsworth will be based in San Francisco, and will report to Caryl Athanasiu, executive vice president and chief operational risk officer in the corporate risk group. As chief compliance officer, Hollingsworth will be responsible for ensuring that all areas of the company meet compliance management responsibilities and abide by all applicable laws and regulations. Her team will continue to provide independent oversight of business-based compliance management activities.
District of Columbia
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Los Angeles attorney Paul Watford to serve on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: “It is great news that the Senate has confirmed Paul Watford, an exceptionally talented attorney, to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has a breadth of experience as a former prosecutor and a top appellate litigator and will make an excellent addition to the federal bench. However, I am very disappointed that more of my Republican colleagues did not join us in backing this highly qualified nominee.” When Watford is sworn in, he will be only the second African American serving on the Ninth Circuit.