Week in Review : MAJOR EVENTS, IMAGES AND PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY NEWS. : MISCELLANY / NEWSMAKERS AND MILESTONES

Court-appointed attorneys representing accused mass murderer Randy Kraft say they need a place to build a crime lab and analyze the evidence against their client. But they balked at Orange County Sheriff Brad Gate’s stipulation that one of his men be around while they do it.

Friday, Gates and prosecutors relented, with a little urging from Superior Court Judge James K. Turner. A library in the department’s crime lab will be converted to a lab, and Turner will appoint someone to be guard the evidence.

Kraft attorney William J. Kopeny said he ideally would need about 1,000 square feet to confidentially look over the evidence. The library will provide about 300 square feet.

A trial has been set for Jan. 12, 1987, in the oft-delayed case, and it remains to be seen whether defense lawyers will have time to prepare their case. Robert R. Ogle Jr., the defense’s forensic expert, stated in court that it would take about seven months to fully analyze all the evidence.

Kraft is accused of 16 murders in Orange County. He was arrested on May 14, 1983, when a police officer stopped him for a traffic violation and discovered a dead Marine in the passenger seat.