Man Pleads Not Guilty in Hatchet Slaying of Woman

A Glendale man believed to be interested in satanism pleaded not guilty Monday to the hatchet slaying of an elderly woman and an attack on her grandson.

David Condry, who appeared unshaven and disheveled during the hearing in Glendale Superior Court, is charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder in the Feb. 8 death of Josephine Adinolfi, 89, and a subsequent attack on her grandson, Augie Pisano, 44. Both Condry and Pisano were living with Adinolfi in her home at 703 W. Salem St.

Although Condry seemed “not normal” to him during the seven years that he lived in Adinolfi’s guest house, Pisano said he started to worry for his grandmother’s safety about a year and a half ago when she found a book with the word “Satan” inscribed on its cover in Condry’s bedroom.

Adinolfi, who allowed Condry to live with her in exchange for his help with gardening and housework, subsequently found more than 100 books on satanic practices in the guest house. The books were later burned in the family barbecue.

After his arrest, police found a pentagram--a five-pointed star associated with satanic rituals--hanging on a chain around Condry’s neck and a magazine photograph in his possession depicting a demonic face with the words “Human Sacrifice Would Open Up The Gates of Hell.” Deputy Dist. Atty. Bruce Werner said Condry could face 26 years to life in prison if convicted of murdering Adinolfi and up to a life sentence for the attempted murder of Pisano.

Condry has been ordered to appear in Division 2 of Glendale Superior Court for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. March 15.