HOLLYWOOD—Former inmate Scott Kratlian has been found guilty of murdering his 82-year-old pen pal Harry Major in Hollywood last year. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office made the official announcement on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.
Kratlian, 46, and Major became pen pals while Kratlian was serving his sentence for a manslaughter charge in 1993 at a New York prison. Once released, Kratlian moved to Los Angeles and lived with Major for a short time period.
Kratlian killed Major on February 10, 2014 at Major’s condo located on the 1400 block of N. Vista Street. During the trial, evidence revealed that some of the victim’s blood was found on the suspect’s shoes.
Canyon News spoke to Greg Risling, Public Information Officer at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office about the case.
“The cause of death was asphyxiation due to neck compression. The blunt force trauma to the head was a contributing factor,” said Risling.
After three hours of deliberation, the jurors found Kratlian guilty of first-degree murder. Kratlian, who is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18, will face anywhere from 56 years to life in state prison.
