Inmate Charged in Slaying of Retiree

An 18-year-old Newbury Park man who is in custody as a suspect in a stabbing was charged Thursday in the slaying of a 61-year-old man, a prosecutor said.

During a hearing in Ventura County Superior Court, Nathan Sessing was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Larry Phifer of Newbury Park. He died of blunt-force head injuries and multiple stab wounds.

Phifer’s body was discovered Dec. 4 after a friend asked authorities to check on Phifer because he had not heard from him in two days.

Phifer was retired and lived alone in a single-family home in the 100 block of North Wendy Drive. Authorities believe the assailant forced his way into the home.

Physical evidence collected at the crime scene and Sessing’s residence established his connection to the slaying, said Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Miles Weiss. Sessing lived near Phifer on the same street, Weiss said.

Because the killing was allegedly committed during the course of a burglary, Sessing’s murder charge includes a special circumstance allegation that if proved at trial would mandate a life term without possibility of parole, Weiss said.

Although Sessing was 17 at the time of Phifer’s slaying, he will be tried as an adult, authorities said.

Sessing was booked into Juvenile Hall on Dec. 6 as a suspect in the stabbing of Brent Cook of Newbury Park. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted car theft, Weiss said. Cook was stabbed as Sessing allegedly attempted to steal a car that belonged to a friend of Cook’s, authorities said.

Sessing did not enter a plea on the murder charge during Thursday’s court appearance, Weiss said.