Attorney General Bill Lockyer Issues Statement Upon the Conviction of Charles Ng

(Sacramento) - Attorney General Bill Lockyer today issued the following statement after an Orange County Superior Court jury convicted Charles Ng on 11 counts of murder.

"After nearly 14 years of legal maneuvering and more than $11 million in public expenses, Charles Ng has been found guilty of the murders of 11 innocent victims. The families of the victims of Charles Ng and Leonard Lake have had to wait too long for this day. The penalty phase of this trial will determine whether Ng will get the death penalty, but today's verdict helps move the families one step closer to closure."

Attorney General Lockyer will continue to provide assistance to District Attorney Peter Smith in seeking the death penalty against Charles Ng during the penalty phase of the trial. The penalty phase of the trial is scheduled to begin March 8, 1999.