Deputies Find Juror Number in Ng’s Cell

Orange County sheriff’s investigators discovered a juror’s phone number in Charles Ng’s jail cell, bolstering concerns that the convicted serial killer called her in an effort to derail his trial, officials confirmed Thursday.

Ng could be charged with tampering with a jury, a felony, but a decision will not be made until after his sentencing June 20, Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike Lubinski said.

Ng, 38, faces the death penalty for killing 11 people in a remote cabin in Northern California 14 years ago. The case was transferred to Orange County because of pretrial publicity.

Ng’s phone call to the juror came as the panel was deciding whether to recommend that he be sentenced to death, creating concerns that it could have derailed one of the longest and costliest murder prosecutions in state history.

Investigators served Ng with a search warrant May 3, after a juror told authorities that someone identifying himself as “Charles Ng” had tried to contact her.

According to court papers, the juror told the judge in the case that she hung up the phone immediately after realizing she was speaking to the defendant. She stayed on the panel after saying she could remain impartial in the case. Jurors later recommended the death penalty.