Kechechian Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

A Lake Forest man who police say fatally stabbed a high school hockey coach outside a local restaurant early Saturday pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon to murder and attempted murder charges in the weekend knife fight.

Justin Alvin Masao Tombleson, 28, surrendered to authorities Monday without making any statements about the fatal confrontation, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said this morning at a press conference in Santa Ana.

However, sheriff's Sgt. Andre Spencer told City News Service that Tombleson's attorney, who accompanied the suspect Monday, told investigators his client had acted in self-defense.

Tombleson faces charges of murder in the slaying of Elvis Kechechian of Mission Viejo and attempted murder in the stabbing of 32-year-old Hossein Saidoian (also of Mission Viejo), who remains in "extremely critical condition" at Mission Hospital, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

Kechechian's death followed  at Albatros Mexican restaurant at 23591 Rockfield Blvd., near Lake Forest Drive, which spilled into the parking lot where Kechechian and Saidoian were stabbed.

Tombleson, who according to court records has been convicted previously for battery and assault with a deadly weapon, is also charged with sentencing enhancements for using a deadly weapon, causing great bodily injury, and a prior conviction for assault causing great bodily injury, according to authorities.

If convicted, he faces a sentence ranging from 15 years to life in state prison. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Authorities allege Tombleson stabbed Kechechian in the chest, perforating his heart, and stabbed Saidoian in the chest and arm, before fleeing the scene.

At the press conference, Hutchens said investigators were analyzing DNA evidence.

According to a Facebook page set up to memorialize Kechechian, the murder weapon was also recovered, but a sheriff's investigator wouldn't confirm the account. 

There was no indication Kechechian and Tombleson knew each other before their encounter early Saturday morning, Spencer said Wednesday.

The women whom police have been searching for as potential witnesses to the initial altercation have all been identified, Amormino said, and at least one has been interviewed.

Although police were originally searching for two suspects, Amormino said the second person is now being referred to as a witness.

Investigators said they have interviewed 61 witnesses but are seeking others who might have information about the killing.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at 714-347-8492 or the OCSD Homicide Bureau at 714-647-7055.

--City News Service contributed to this story.