Suspected Killer Hid Weapons in Cell, Officials Say

Charles Ng has been caught hiding “small weapons or escape paraphernalia” at Folsom Prison, according to authorities fighting defense efforts to ease tight security measures surrounding the suspected mass killer.

Ng, 31, is charged with 12 counts of murder in connection with a series of slayings discovered when mass graves were found in Wilseyville in 1985. His alleged accomplice, Leonard Lake, killed himself shortly after being arrested. Ng was extradited from Canada a year ago.

Ng was caught hiding the items in his cell and a visiting booth at the prison, Department of Corrections officials said.

The alleged incidents were cited in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Sacramento on Thursday in opposition to defense motions to stop Ng’s confinement in a cage between court appearances and to remove his shackles when he is in the courtroom.

Ng also “once apparently nearly succeeded in removing a pair of handcuffs” and expressed an intent to escape, according to papers filed by Deputy Atty. Gen. Michael Lee.