Men to be arraigned in veteran’s death

Two Huntington Beach residents accused of causing a 77-year-old World War II veteran’s death after three and a half years in a coma resulting from an assault and robbery will be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 23 in Room C-57 at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

John Kirk McKinney, 27, and Curtis James Hill, 27, are charged with special circumstances murder committed in the commission of a robbery. The charges hold a minimum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Both are serving sentences for the assault and robbery.

Cecil Warren spotted the duo entering his van Nov. 11, 2003, and when he confronted them, they attacked him. They allegedly hit and kicked Warren in the head and stole his wallet before leaving him bleeding on the ground. Warren spent more than three years on life support before he died Sept. 22, 2007.

Hill pleaded guilty to one felony count of second-degree robbery, one felony count of aggravated assault and sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury to an elder and committing a crime against a vulnerable victim. He was sentenced to nine years in state prison in October 2006.

McKinney pleaded not guilty and was sentenced to four years in state prison for one felony count of second-degree robbery, one felony count of aggravated assault and sentencing enhancements for committing a crime against a vulnerable victim in February 2007.

Both were charged Sept. 4 with causing the head injuries that resulted in Warren’s death.

The case is just beginning because the prosecution had to collect three and a half years’ worth of Warren’s medical records and his brain had to be analyzed and sent out to a pathologist, said Sonia Balleste, the prosecutor for the case.