Ng Continues to Deny Part in Killing Spree

Accused serial killer Charles Ng on Thursday acknowledged that he helped bury two bodies and participated in sadomasochistic games with victims but continued to emphatically deny that he took part in a killing spree in Northern California 14 years ago.

Despite tough questioning by a prosecutor who attempted to discredit his account, Ng continued to insist that his friend, Leonard Lake, actually committed the 12 murders at a secluded cabin property in Calaveras County. Lake killed himself shortly after being arrested in 1985.

Ng, 38, repeatedly said he could not remember key aspects of the case. Sharlene Honnaka, a state deputy attorney general, questioned Ng about his knowledge of a bunker that Lake built on the cabin property.

Authorities say the bunker was used as a cell for “sex slaves.” But Ng testified that he assumed it was an emergency shelter and tool shed in line with Lake’s survivalist lifestyle. He said he did not remember whether Lake told him what the structure was for.

Prosecutors will continue their cross-examination on Monday.

Some family members of the victims said Ng’s testimony lacked credibility.

“He can remember what type of toothbrush Lake left in his apartment in 1982, but he can’t remember so many other things,” said Sharon Sellito, whose brother was allegedly killed by Ng.

Ng’s testimony came unexpectedly in the middle of closing arguments Wednesday in what is one of California’s longest-running and most expensive murder cases. Orange County Superior Court Judge John J. Ryan granted a last-ditch effort by Ng to testify on his behalf.

His testimony is the latest twist in a case that critics say has gone on far too long.

After Lake’s arrest, Ng fled to Canada, where he was caught shoplifting a month later. He was eventually extradited to California in 1991. The case was mired in legal motions for another seven years before finally coming to trial last October.

The case was moved to Orange County in 1994 because of pretrial publicity in Northern California.

Earlier Thursday, the defense wrapped up its questioning of Ng by having him rebut the statements of a former fellow prison inmate of Ng’s in Canada.

Joseph Maurice Laberge testified during Ng’s extradition hearings that Ng had confessed to the killings with detailed drawings and statements. Laberge died in a car accident in May of last year, but his testimony has played a central part in Ng’s questioning since he took the stand Wednesday.

Attorney Lewis Clapp read crude and graphic sexual references Ng allegedly made about the victims to Laberge, which Ng denied time and time again ever making.

“I never told him any of these outlandish things,” Ng said.

At times, Ng seemed to contradict himself.

Even as he insisted he was unaware of Lake’s plan to kill anyone, he admitted Thursday to helping Lake bury two bodies. On Wednesday, he said he helped shackle and wrap the body of Lonnie Bond Sr., 27, a neighbor of Lake’s in 1985. On Thursday, Ng said he also helped bury Scott Stapley along with Bond. Stapley, a 26-year-old from San Diego, was a friend of Bond’s and his wife, Brenda O’Connor, who was also among the victims.

Stapley’s parents, who have been following the case since Ng’s arrest in Canada, said it is still hard to hear their son’s name in court.

“We tighten up,” said Dwight Stapley, 72, of Garden Grove. “We want to cry.”