San Andreas, CA — Sen. Dave Cox is helping Calaveras County officials rectify a dilemma involving $2 million it received from the state for the Charles Ng murder trial.

Ng was convicted in 1999 of killing 11 people with his partner Leonard Lake, at a cabin in Wilseyville.

A 2004 state audit asked for the money back. The county says it needs the money but can´t prove it because Ng is still appealing his sentence. Supervisor Merita Callaway says information involving the costs is confidential until the case is resolved.

Cox has proposed writing new legislation for such circumstances. Or, Callaway said, he may ask the state to find the county harmless for potential costs.

Written by Vanessa Turner.