Man goes to third trial for murder

The third murder trial of a man twice convicted of killing a 12-year-old Huntington Beach girl is underway.

Rodney James Alcala, 66, was twice convicted for the kidnapping and murder of Robin Samsoe, but both convictions were thrown out on appeal.

Alcala now is standing trial for a third time as the alleged suspect in the girl’s slaying and killings of four Los Angeles women. He is charged with a series of murder and kidnapping charges with enhancements for rape, intent to inflict torture, intent to kill during burglary and kidnapping from the late 1970s, according to court documents.

Alcala pleaded not guilty or denied all charges. His latest trial opened on Tuesday at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. He is being prosecuted by the Orange County and Los Angeles district attorney’s offices. Alcala is being held at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana.

— Britney Barnes