- A 16-year-old was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Davy Glen Pichel, 66, outside St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Oxnard.
- The attack occurred on June 5, 2025, when both suspects were 14; surveillance video shows they beat and stomped the victim, leaving and returning multiple times.
- The first teen pleaded guilty in January and received a maximum seven-year commitment to a secured youth treatment facility.
- Sentencing for the second teen is set for July 13 at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center; he faces up to seven years.
- District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated the verdict ensures accountability, though no outcome can restore the life lost.
In a case that has shaken the Oxnard community, a second teenager has been convicted in the brutal beating death of a 66-year-old homeless man outside a local church. The Ventura County juvenile court found the now-16-year-old guilty of willful, deliberate, and premeditated first-degree murder for the June 2025 attack on Davy Glen Pichel.
Details of the Attack
According to prosecutors, church security video captured the two 14-year-old boys approaching Pichel as he sat in his wheelchair near the entrance of St. Anthony's Catholic Church. The teens then beat and stomped him, walked away, and returned multiple times to continue the assault. A volunteer discovered Pichel's body the next day; he was partially clothed and had suffered severe head and facial injuries. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
The first teen pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in January and was sentenced to the maximum seven-year commitment at a California Secured Youth Treatment Facility. The second teen, now 16, was found guilty on June 26 and is scheduled for sentencing on July 13 at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard. He also faces a maximum base term of seven years. Under California law, juvenile court jurisdiction typically ends when an offender turns 25.
“This was an exceptionally brutal and senseless attack on a vulnerable member of our community,” said Ventura County Deputy District Attorney Juliet Buff. “Today's verdict ensures that both juveniles have now been held accountable for Mr. Pichel's murder. While no court outcome can restore the life that was taken, we hope this result provides Mr. Pichel's loved ones with a measure of justice.”
Local California Context
Oxnard, a coastal city in Ventura County, has been deeply affected by this crime. The attack occurred at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, a place of sanctuary for many, including the homeless. The case highlights ongoing concerns about juvenile violence and the vulnerability of unhoused individuals in the region. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office emphasized the coordinated efforts of the Oxnard Police Department and local prosecutors in securing the conviction.
Conclusion
With both teens now convicted, the legal chapter of this tragic case is closing, but the community continues to grapple with the loss of Davy Glen Pichel. The sentencing on July 13 will mark the final step in holding the second teen accountable. Residents are urged to support local initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and preventing youth violence.