Attorneys Offer Ugly Portrayals of Victim and Defendant in Stabbing Murder Trial

Attorneys on both sides agree that a 30-year-old Lake Forest man fatally stabbed two men during a fight nearly two years ago, but they disagreed today on whether it was self-defense or murder.

Justin Alvin Masao Tombleson is being tried on two counts of murder in the June 11, 2011, stabbing deaths of 32-year-old Hossain Saidian and his 26- year-old friend, Elvis Kechechian. The defendant also faces a sentence- enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon.

Saidian and Kechechian were stabbed outside Albatros Mexican Food at 23591 Rockfield Blvd., a "very popular spot" in the area because it's always open, Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy said.

Saidian, Kechechian and his brother, Aris Kechechian, and another friend went bowling in Anaheim the evening of the deadly stabbing to celebrate the oldest victim's birthday.

The group had been drinking that night and Aris Kechechian, who was driving, was nearly above the legal limit when he was tested for alcohol after the fatal brawl, McGreevy said.

Meanwhile, Tombleson, his girlfriend and other friends went drinking and dancing at a bar in the Foothill Ranch area, McGreevy said.

The women in the group left the bar first and headed over to Albatros about the same time as the victims and their group, the prosecutor said.

The defendant's girlfriend, Erica Cardenalli, was waiting in line at the crowded restaurant, talking on her cell phone, when Elvis Kechechian tried to strike up a conversation, McGreevy said.

"Elvis thinks Erica is ignoring him so he does not like that. He starts calling her names," McGreevy said.

When Aris Kechechian emerged from the bathroom, he saw his brother arguing with Cardenalli and her girlfriends, McGreevy said.

"He makes the very bad decision to join this argument," McGreevy said.

Aris Kechechian spit on Cardenalli, which  got the attention of male patrons, and soon a massive brawl broke out, prompting restaurant employees to kick everyone out, McGreevy said.

Cardenalli urged her boyfriend to meet her at the restaurant, the prosecutor said.

When Tombleson and his friends arrived at the restaurant, the defendant ran ahead and asked his girlfriend what happened, McGreevy said. She pointed to the Kechechian brothers, and the defendant ran over to them, asking, "Which (expletive) spit at my girl?," the prosecutor said.

Several witnesses told investigators they saw Tombleson "swing first ... and the fight is on," McGreevy said.

Tombleson was soon on the ground getting pummeled before his friends joined the fray, McGreevy said. Witnesses said they saw the defendant look in his pocket for something and then started waving an object that appeared to be a knife in a "circular motion" at the victims, McGreevy said.

Sheriff's deputies were called just after 2 a.m. Elvis Kechechian was pronounced dead about an hour later and Saidian underwent surgery, but doctors determined he was brain dead, and he was pronounced dead nearly a week later, McGreevy said.

Elvis Kechechian sustained one stab wound that punctured his aorta and "eviscerated" his intestines, resulting in internal bleeding, McGreevy said, while Saidian was stabbed multiple times.

Investigators later found the knife near the restaurant and it had DNA evidence of the victims and defendant on it, McGreevy said.

"At the end of this case, I'm going to ask you to hold this defendant responsible for the murder of Elvis Kechechian and Hossain Saidian," McGreevy told jurors.

Defense attorney Keith Bruno countered that the case is "about the valid use of self-defense that resulted in tragic consequences for both."

Bruno alleged the Kechechian brothers "violently assaulted" patrons in the restaurant, and noted that when their group arrived at Albatros, they parked in a spot for disabled drivers.

"When Aris Kechechian pulled up to that handicapped spot, he was saying, 'I don't give a (expletive) about consequences,"' Bruno said.

The defense attorney said the brothers took off their shirts after they were kicked out of the restaurant and were walking to their car, Bruno said.

"What does that say? They're challenging anyone and everyone to a fight," he said.

The defendant was trying to talk to the brothers, who responded with their fists, Bruno said.

As Tombleson was being "stomped," he got a "work" knife to defend himself, Bruno said.

One witness told investigators "the stabbing stopped the fighting," which is the "essence of self-defense," Bruno said.

- City News Service