DNA links man to deaths of 10 women

DNA evidence ties a former pizza delivery man accused of being one of Los Angeles’ most prolific serial killers to the killings of 10 women and an unborn child, a prosecutor told US jurors at the start of his trial.

The killings happened over an 11-year period. Deputy District Attorney Bobby Grace said Chester Turner was finally caught after he was arrested in 2002 on charges of raping a woman in Los Angeles.

Authorities charged Turner, 40, in October 2004. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Turner’s DNA was submitted to cold-case investigators and “like water from a tap” each unsolved murder was linked to Turner, Mr Grace told the jury.

Police allege he accosted most of his victims on a street in crime-plagued South Los Angeles, raping and strangling them in a killing spree from 1987 to 1998.

Turner has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of murder. His defence was expected to explain the DNA evidence by saying he was a drug dealer whose customers were mainly prostitutes who often paid in trade.

Defence lawyer John Tyre deferred his opening statements until he presents Turner’s side later in the trial.

One of the killings was recorded on a grainy security camera videotape, but Turner’s lawyer has said the footage is so rough that it is impossible to identify the victim or assailant.

Turner is already serving an eight-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to rape in 2002.