HOLLYWOOD—Authorities have arrested 44 year-old Scott Kratlian, who is also known as Scott Porter for the murder of 82 year-old Harry Major. Kratlian was apprehended by members of the FBI/LAPD Task Force on February 18. Major was found dead inside his residence on the 1400 block of

North Vista Street on February 12, by LAPD Hollywood Area Patrol officers who responded to a radio call of a death investigation at 7:20 p.m.  The Los Angeles Fire Department rescue personnel responded and the victim was declared dead.

The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office indicated on February 15 that Major’s death was indeed a homicide and the cause of death was strangulation. On February 20, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office charged Kratlian with one count of murder.  The suspect pled not guilty to the murder of Major who was his pen pal on Monday, February 24.

He faces up to 56 years to life in prison if convicted. According to a press release from the District Attorneys Office, the complaint against Kratlian also includes an allegation of a prior conviction for manslaughter from

New York County in 1993. Deputy District Attorney Tony Cho of the Elder Abuse Section indicated that the suspect became pen pals with Major while he was serving his sentence for manslaughter in a New York prison.

He was released in 2013 and relocated to Los Angeles. His bail has been set at $1.08 million and he is expected back in court on March 17 for a preliminary hearing setting. Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the victim’s murder.

Anyone with additional information on the case is asked to contact West Bureau Homicide Detective S. Katz at 213-382-9470.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters (LAPD). Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”