thedrifter
02-21-09, 08:24 AM
Men get possible life sentences in fatal O.C. New Year's Eve brawl
2:47 PM | February 20, 2009
Two bar patrons who fatally stabbed a bouncer and injured another customer during a New Year's Eve altercation in Aliso Viejo two years ago were sentenced by an Orange County judge today to decades -- and possibly life -- in prison.
Lorne Paul Kelley, 28, of Big Bear, faces 71 years to life in prison. Ricky Lee Nelson, 29, of Hesperia, was sentenced to 32 years to life in prison.
The men were drinking with friends at Time Out Tavern early New Year's Day 2007 when Nelson, an Army veteran, made disparaging comments about Marines. Some bouncers and bargoers who were U.S. Marines told Nelson and his friends to leave the bar.
Angered, Nelson and Kelley shouted at bouncers from the parking lot, removed their shirts and tried to pick a fight. As Kelley took a knife from his car trunk, Nelson yelled and tried to punch a Marine as he left the bar with his wife. Authorities said the Marine had lost a leg fighting in Iraq.
After more bouncers arrived to break up the scuffle outside, Kelley stabbed Brandon White, 21, in the neck and Stephen Cirillo, 21, in the neck and chest. White later died.
Kelley then fled to Laguna Beach where Nelson's aunt, Candie Kate Wilson, 47, lived. She allegedly drove him to Hesperia, burned his bloody tank top and cleaned up blood from the car. Wilson pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and was placed on probation.
The men were found guilty in December of one count of murder and one count of attempted murder, with a sentencing enhancement for Kelley for use of a deadly weapon.
-- Susannah Rosenblatt
Photo: Lorne Paul Kelley. Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department
Ellie
2:47 PM | February 20, 2009
Two bar patrons who fatally stabbed a bouncer and injured another customer during a New Year's Eve altercation in Aliso Viejo two years ago were sentenced by an Orange County judge today to decades -- and possibly life -- in prison.
Lorne Paul Kelley, 28, of Big Bear, faces 71 years to life in prison. Ricky Lee Nelson, 29, of Hesperia, was sentenced to 32 years to life in prison.
The men were drinking with friends at Time Out Tavern early New Year's Day 2007 when Nelson, an Army veteran, made disparaging comments about Marines. Some bouncers and bargoers who were U.S. Marines told Nelson and his friends to leave the bar.
Angered, Nelson and Kelley shouted at bouncers from the parking lot, removed their shirts and tried to pick a fight. As Kelley took a knife from his car trunk, Nelson yelled and tried to punch a Marine as he left the bar with his wife. Authorities said the Marine had lost a leg fighting in Iraq.
After more bouncers arrived to break up the scuffle outside, Kelley stabbed Brandon White, 21, in the neck and Stephen Cirillo, 21, in the neck and chest. White later died.
Kelley then fled to Laguna Beach where Nelson's aunt, Candie Kate Wilson, 47, lived. She allegedly drove him to Hesperia, burned his bloody tank top and cleaned up blood from the car. Wilson pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and was placed on probation.
The men were found guilty in December of one count of murder and one count of attempted murder, with a sentencing enhancement for Kelley for use of a deadly weapon.
-- Susannah Rosenblatt
Photo: Lorne Paul Kelley. Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department
Ellie