Local News in Brief : Trial Date Set in Night Stalker Case

The start of the prosecution of Night Stalker suspect Richard Ramirez in Los Angeles Superior Court has been scheduled for Jan. 17.

Judge Michael A. Tynan and lawyers in the case agreed to that tentative date this week as the current phase of jury selection is winding down.

Ramirez, 28, is charged with murdering 13 Los Angeles County residents in a spree of nighttime attacks, mostly in 1985. He also faces 30 additional felonies, including robbery, rape and attempted murder. If convicted, Ramirez could get the death penalty.

Jury selection has been under way since July 21, and is expected to wind up late next month. It is also expected that a 12-member alternate jury will be impaneled to serve as backup during the trial, which may take a year or more.