Man Faces Trial in Death of Northridge Teen-Ager : Crime: Evans York, 19, is accused of killing the 16-year-old during a 1993 robbery. The victim’s body was never found.

VAN NUYS — A Porter Ranch man was ordered Tuesday to stand trial for murder in the 1993 killing of a Northridge teen-ager whose body was never found, according to Los Angeles County prosecutors.

Superior Court Judge Judith Ashmann set March 22 as the trial date for Evans York, 19, who is accused of killing Michael Azzaro, 16, during a robbery.

Although York is charged with a special-circumstance allegation that could trigger the death penalty on conviction, Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. John Asari said his office ultimately decided not to seek the death penalty.

Asari refused to elaborate on the decision, other than to say the defendant’s age and background were taken into consideration. If convicted, the defendant could still face life in prison without possibility of parole.

Azzaro and York were seen together in Azzaro’s car in the Van Nuys area Feb. 13, 1993, Asari said.

Family members reported Azzaro missing the next day.

The following day, Feb. 15, York went to police and told them that he and Azzaro had been kidnaped and only he managed to escape. On the same day, Azzaro’s car was found on Imperial Highway in the Lennox area.

Asari said the district attorney’s office decided to file charges against York after reviewing evidence provided by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division, including self-incriminating statements York made to authorities.