Deputies Identify Man Slain in Fight
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SANTA ANA HEIGHTS — A man who was killed Saturday night during a fight in a residence here was identified Sunday by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department as Anthony T. Mele, 48, of Laguna Beach.
According to sheriff’s spokesman Marty Kasules, Mele died about 6:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving a “blunt force” injury to the chest at a home in the 20000 block of Bayview Way, where he was installing bathroom window blinds for a friend.
Kasules said the injury occurred when Mele “either fell or was pushed to the floor” during a fight with the owner of the home after an argument regarding Mele’s family.
“It looks like the death was in self-defense,” Kasules said.
The homeowner, whom Kasules declined to identify pending further investigation, was struck several times on the head with a hammer during the altercation, and was taken to an area hospital where he was reported in stable condition.
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