Dana Point man sentenced for killing a man at a New Year’s Eve Party

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11ZF0104: August 2, 2013

MAN SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR STABBING AND MURDERING ONE AND INJURING ANOTHER AFTER NEW YEAR’S EVE HOTEL PARTY

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 18 years and eight months to life in state prison for murdering one man and injuring his friend by stabbing the victims after a New Year’s Eve hotel party. Adam Randy Baker, 26, Dana Point, was found guilty by a jury Dec. 12, 2012, of one felony count each of second degree murder and attempted murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon.

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2011, Baker was sitting on a bench near the valet parking area at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa after attending a New Year’s Eve party at the hotel. When a group of men exited the hotel, Baker flicked his cigarette at them and started a verbal argument as he approached one of the men. Another man in the group, 27-year-old Robert Sickles, stepped in between his brother and the defendant to prevent the situation from escalating into a fight.

Baker approached Sickles and began a physical fight by shoving the victim’s face with his hand. Baker then pulled out a knife, slashed Sickles across the chest, and stabbed him once in the chest. Sickles’ friend, 26-year-old Brian McTeigue, attempted to intervene to protect his friend and Baker stabbed McTeigue one time in the back.

The victims’ friends became involved in the physical fight to defend Sickles and McTeigue and detained Baker. Costa Mesa Police Department officers, who were already at the hotel responding to unrelated disturbances, responded immediately.

Sickles and McTeigue were transported to Western Medical Center, where Sickles was pronounced dead on arrival as a result of the stab wound to the chest. McTeigue was treated for a non-fatal stab wound to the back and was later released. Baker was transported to Mission Hospital to be treated for facial fractures sustained after the stabbing.

At the sentencing today, Sickles’ mother, aunt, family friends, and McTeigue gave emotional impact statements before the court. Robin Sickles, the victim’s mother, said in part, “I see my son David suffer from survivor’s guilt, knowing Baker had him in his sights and that Robert was not the original target. David is incredibly traumatized from witnessing his brother’s death and lives every day with the haunting images from that night. He watched helplessly as his brother lay dying in his arms, as he took his last breath.” Sickles’ aunt said Baker not only took a life, he took a son, a grandson, a brother, a friend and, an air force veteran.

McTeigue said that he can’t explain having to relive the memory of one of his best friends dying in his arms.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder

Chief of Staff

Office: 714-347-8408

Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami

Spokesperson

Office: 714-347-8405

Cell: 714-323-4486