Suspect in fatal stabbing to be arraigned today

Brandon White, 21, of Dana Point, was breaking up a bar fight when he was killed.

NEWPORT BEACH – A Big Bear man is scheduled to be arraigned in Newport Beach today in connection with the New Year's Day fatal stabbing of a bouncer and aspiring law enforcement officer who was trying to break up a bar fight.

Lorne Paul Kelley, 26, is charged with murder, attempted murder and use of a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing to death Brandon White, 21, of Dana Point early New Year's Day outside the Time Out Tavern in Aliso Viejo.

Also facing an initial court appearance is Candie Kate Wilson, 45, the mother of a friend of Kelley who allegedly tried to burn bloody clothing, authorities said.

The two were arrested within hours of the attack.

Orange County sheriff's investigators tracked a red car that Kelley allegedly was seen getting into following the confrontation between two groups who began fighting inside the bar and were ordered to leave, said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino. Three security guards later tried to break up the violence when it spread to the parking lot.

If convicted, Kelley faces 26 years to life in prison and Wilson faces up to three years, according to Susan Schroeder of the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

White, who recently applied for a deputy sheriff's position, was pronounced dead at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center of a stab wound to the neck, Amormino said.

The events began to unfold when two groups in the bar began arguing over which branch of service – the Army or Marines – was better, Amormino said.

The groups – Kelley was among the Army supporters – were ordered outside, where the fight turned physical, Amormino said.

Schroeder said Kelley went to his car and retrieved the knife.

When White, another security guard and an off-duty bouncer who stopped in to visit with the others followed them out and tried to break up the fight, Kelley allegedly wounded the guards, Amormino said.

One guard also was cut in the neck, and the other was cut on the hand and arm, Amormino said.

Kelley was traced through a license number and he and Wilson were both arrested at Wilson's Hesperia home.

White had applied for positions with the Sheriff's Department and Newport Beach Police Department, according to broadcast reports.

Kelley is being held on more than $1 million bail and Wilson is being held on $20,000 bail