Charge May Be Elevated to Murder in Homeless Man’s Knifing

A homeless man in custody as the prime suspect in a weekend stabbing will probably be charged with murder after the victim, another homeless man, died Friday, police said.

Tommy Lee Rhea, 48, was being held Friday at Orange County Jail on an increased bail of $250,000, and police began paperwork to elevate the charges being sought against him for the Saturday night assault, Santa Ana Police Sgt. Bob Clark said.

Rhea allegedly attacked Raymond Wayne House, 45, in the 1700 block of East Santa Clara Avenue after an argument, Clark said. Police called the men familiar street figures in the Portola Park area.

House was stabbed in the neck and torso with a large knife and was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, where he identified his alleged assailant in interviews with investigators, Clark said. Police also recovered a large kitchen knife.

A patrol officer recognized Rhea’s name and said he was a homeless man with a bicycle who frequents the 2100 block of North Tustin Avenue, Clark said. Police arrested Rhea on Monday not far from the scene of the attack.

Rhea was initially jailed on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, but House’s death at 5:20 a.m. Friday elevated the potential charges, Clark said. Detectives were still unsure Friday about the motive for the attack.