Kick Boxer Guilty of 1st-Degree Murder : Crime: Jury convicts Orange man of robbing and slaying his girlfriend with a hammer. He could face a death sentence.

A kick boxer from Orange faces a possible death sentence after he was convicted Thursday of beating his girlfriend to death with a hammer during a quarrel.

The Orange County Superior Court jury deliberated two days before finding Shaleke Nasir, 22, guilty of first-degree murder, robbery and attempted rape in the August, 1991, death of Lena M. Forbes, 21, of Huntington Beach.

Jurors will return to court Nov. 30 to recommend whether Nasir should die or go to prison for life without the possibility of parole. Superior Court Judge David O. Carter will make the final decision.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Charles Middleton argued to jurors that the killing was deliberate and that Nasir was guilty of first-degree murder and so-called “special-circumstance” allegations that make Nasir eligible for a death sentence.

During the trial, Nasir told jurors he “snapped” and attacked Forbes after she pressed him for money and then bragged about a sexual liaison earlier in the day.

Outside court, defense attorney Marne Glass said a verdict of second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter would have been more appropriate.

“It was our feeling that the evidence showed this was a crime of rage and passion, not first-degree murder,” Glass said.

Glass said Nasir was charged with stealing jewelry, credit cards and Forbes’ car. But Nasir’s intent was not to rob the victim, but his desperate endeavor to find money and transportation to get home, Glass said without elaborating.

Jurors cannot discuss the case until the penalty phase has concluded. After jurors filed from the courtroom, Nasir’s mother broke down and sobbed loudly. The victim’s family declined to comment.

The trial was interrupted earlier in the month when a Santa Ana woman who said she had borne Nasir a son was accused of trying to sway a juror.

Kichecko Williams, 21, faces a contempt hearing Dec. 6 for allegedly approaching a juror during a court break and whispering: “That’s the father of my son that’s on trial. You have the life of my son’s father in your hands.”

The juror reported the incident to Carter, who ordered the woman’s arrest, then released her the next day pending a formal hearing.