Crime & Safety

Lake Forest Stepmom's Alleged Ax Murderer Gets Later Day in Court

Oscar Luis Morlett III is accused of using an ax-like instrument to kill his stepmother in Lake Forest.

The man accused of killing his stepmother in her Lake Forest home last week was supposed to be arraigned Tuesday in Central Men's Jail in Santa Ana, but it was pushed back to Aug. 30.

Oscar Luis Morlett III, 21, of Lake Forest, was expected to be charged with murdering his stepmother at their home in their Foothill Ranch neighborhood.

Morlett is alleged to have used an ax to kill Jeanne Ellen Morlett, 66. Her body was discovered on Friday at her Blazewood home, near Alton and Portola parkways.  

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Morlett is being held on $1 million bail. He faces a sentencing enhancement allegation of personal use of a deadly weapon, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office, and could face up to 26 years to life in prison if convicted.

A motive for the attack has not been revealed by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

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Deputies responded to a disturbance call last Friday, shortly after 11:15 a.m., and discovered the victim. Her stepson was arrested about two miles from the crime scene later that day.

Coincidentally, Morlett had been due in court this week on misdemeanor charges of carrying a dirk or dagger, possession of a deadly weapon, a leaded cane, and having a passenger under 21 in possession of alcohol in a vehicle, according to court records. Those counts, filed in June, were considered at his arraignment hearing.   

Morlett had previously pled guilty to an August, 2011 misdemeanor charge of carrying a switchblade and gravity knives.

—City News Service contributed to this report

Editor's Note:  A previous version of this story said the arraignment took place.


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