Man charged in death of liquor store clerk

A Newport Beach man has been charged with killing a liquor store clerk after trying to steal a magazine from his store, authorities said Tuesday. If convicted, Weston S. Kruger, 28, could face life in prison without parole.

According to prosecutors, Kruger entered the Sportsman Liquor Store in the 2600 block of Newport Boulevard to buy cigarettes on Saturday. As he left, clerk Hao Huynh, 46, saw an allegedly stolen magazine under his T-shirt and followed him outside.

Kruger then allegedly threw the clerk to the ground. Huynh died in a hospital the next day. Authorities said Kruger had been out on bail in connection with charges stemming from separate cases of domestic violence and burglary.