Afscme685 - Authorities missed chance to identify Grim Sleeper suspect two years before final known slaying

Authorities missed chance to identify Grim Sleeper suspect two years before final known slaying

Authorities missed an opportunity years ago to catch the suspected Grim Sleeper serial killer and end his alleged rampage before the final known victim was slain because his DNA was never collected as required under a 2004 law, according to interviews and records reviewed by The Times. Lonnie David Franklin Jr.'s genetic profile was supposed to be added to the state's DNA data bank of offenders because he was on probation for a felony when voters approved Proposition 69, a sweeping expansion of the state's DNA collection authority. The Los Angeles County Probation Department was tasked with obtaining DNA samples from tens of thousands of local offenders who were on probation when the law went into effect in November 2004. But by the time the agency began collecting DNA, Franklin was no longer under its supervision. Read more