'Grim Sleeper' case: Judge sets start date for trial

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A judge on Friday set a June 30 start date for the so-called "Grim Sleeper" murder trial.

The accused serial killer, Lonnie Franklin Jr., is charged with murders spanning two decades. It has been more than four years since the LAPD arrested Franklin for the murders, but the case still hasn't gone to trial.

Family members of the victims wanted the judge to set the trial date, saying they have a right to a speedy trial, too, under California's Marsy's Law.

Franklin, 62, has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of murder that date back from 1985 to 2007. Some of the victims were shot and some were strangled.

The defense is questioning some of the DNA evidence in the case, which is also slowing the process down.

Some people say they are still skeptical about the start date that was set.

"It really depends on the moves of the defense, but also the decision of the judge with whether or not these types of delays will continue again and again and again. It's not the first time that a court date has been set. Keep that in mind. This is number three," said South Los Angeles community activist Margaret Prescod.