Man pleads not guilty in murder case

A Dana Point man pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges Thursday in connection with a fatal stabbing outside the Orange County/Costa Mesa Hilton hotel early New Year’s Day.

Adam Randy Baker, 23, faces 23 years to life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors added sentencing enhancements to both charges for Baker allegedly using a knife during the attack.

About 2 a.m. Jan. 1, Baker was sitting outside the NYE OC celebration at the hotel. As partygoers left, prosecutors said Baker flicked a cigarette at a group of men, then pushed and attacked one of them with a knife.

Baker stabbed two men, killing Robert Sickles, 27, police said. Baker was detained by Sickles’ friends until police arrived.

Baker is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach on Tuesday.

—Joseph Serna