Sentencing Set For Thousand Oaks Man Convicted Of Murdering Girlfriend

Wednesday October 16, 2024

     Updated--The judge has set December 4th for the sentencing of 24-year-old Saul Nava of Thousand Oaks who was convicted by a jury of First Degree Murder in the death of his live-in girlfriend as well as other acts of violence against her and against another female during a prior relationship.

     But they decided that a Special Circumstance Allegation of Intentional Murder Involving Torture was NOT true.

     The Medical Examiner ruled that 24-year-old Alisen Takacs-Escobar died from blunt force trauma.

     The jury did find Nava guilty of a separate charge of torture as well as aggravated mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and possession of child pornography.

     The jury also convicted Nava on three counts of domestic violence.

     The charges not only involved his violent relationship with Escobar, but also extensive violence in a prior relationship with another female victim who testified at the trial.

     Nava took the witness stand in his own defense and admitted he was responsible for what happened but he claimed he did not intend to kill Escobar.

     Nava is facing a very, very long prison sentence but it could have literally been forever had the jury found that Special Circumstance Allegation true.

     It means instead of facing life in prison with with no chance of parole, Nava could face life in prison conceivably with a chance of parole.

     Nava remains in the Ventura County Jail and he cannot be released.