Man Faces Trial in Woman’s Killing : Courts: David Condry also is charged with using a hatchet in an attempt to slay his benefactor’s grandson.

A loner with a large collection of books on satanic practices planned in advance the murder of his 89-year-old benefactor, according to court testimony Tuesday.

After hearing the evidence, a judge ordered David Condry, 30, to stand trial in the Feb. 8 slaying of Josephine Adinolfi and the attempted hatchet murder of her grandson, Augie Pisano, 30.

The new evidence of premeditation, contained in Condry’s confession to police, could lead prosecutors to seek the death penalty, authorities said.

Condry pleaded not guilty to all charges on Feb. 28.

Glendale Police Officer John McKillop testified that Condry also said he thought about killing Pisano and had planned to steal Pisano’s car after the attack and drive it to Chicago.

The defendant told police he decided to use a hatchet to kill Pisano because he thought it would give him a “greater advantage,” McKillop said.

Condry and Pisano lived with Adinolfi at 703 Salem St. in Glendale where Condry kept a collection of objects related to satanism including a photo bearing the words “Human Sacrifice Would Open Up The Gates of Hell,” according to court records and Pisano.

Pisano said the relationship between Adinolfi and Condry deteriorated after Adinolfi found a book with the word Satan inscribed on its cover in Condry’s bedroom. A subsequent search by Adinolfi, who was a Roman Catholic, of the guest house produced more than 100 books on various satanic practices, Pisano said.

Adinolfi allowed Condry to live in the guest house behind her home for more than seven years because she regarded him as “like another grandson.” Condry repaid her by doing odd jobs.

McKillop testified that Condry asked to speak with detectives on Feb. 9, saying Condry wanted to discuss the events that led up to Adinolfi’s death. Condry told police that he and Adinolfi argued early in the afternoon of Feb. 8 because she wanted to take the car out alone while he insisted on driving her, McKillop said.

When Adinolfi went into her bedroom after the argument, McKillop testified, Condry said he grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her in the chest. Adinolfi suffered one puncture wound to the chest and two slash-type wounds above her stomach, McKillop said.

Glendale Municipal Judge Barbara Lee Burke ordered that Condry continue to be held in lieu of $1.5-million bail. Condry faces up to 26 years to life in prison if convicted on the murder charge and up to life in prison if convicted of the attempted murder charge, Pasadena District Attorney Bruce Werner said.