Man Pleads Not Guilty To Murdering His 82-Year-Old Pen Pal

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A man pleaded not guilty Monday to killing his 82-year-old pen pal in Hollywood.

Scott Kratlian has been charged with one count of murder for the Feb. 10 death of Harry Major, which occurred in the 1400 block of N. Vista Street, officials said.

Major's cause of death was asphyxiation, according to the Los Angeles County's Coroner's Office.

Kratlian and Major reportedly became pen pals while the suspect was serving a sentence for manslaughter in a New York prison, Deputy District Attorney Tony Cho of the Elder Abuse Section said.

The suspect was released in late 2013 and then made his way to Los Angeles, according to the prosecutor.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 56 years to life in prison.

Kratlian, whose bail was set at $1.08 million, was scheduled to return to court March 17.