SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for the beating-murder of his ex-girlfriend. Nicholas Lee Clark, 26, Placentia, is charged with one felony count of murder. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. Clark is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Aug. 19, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

In early 2016, Clark was in a romantic relationship with 19-year-old Madeline Mallory for approximately four months. They lived together at Clark's apartment in Placentia for a brief period of time. During the course of their relationship, Mallory sought treatment for physical injuries caused by domestic violence and at one point fled to a women's shelter.

In June 2016, the defendant was served a restraining order prohibiting him from threatening, battering, or attacking Mallory.

On July 31, 2016, Clark is accused of meeting and severely beating Mallory at his place of businessuntil she became unresponsive. The defendant called 911 and told the police dispatcher his ex-girlfriend fainted in front of the door. Clark is accused of fleeing the scene before police and emergency medical responders arrived. The officers performing CPR saw visible bruising on the victim's face, arms, and chest. Mallory did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital as a result of blunt force trauma to her head and torso.

Later that day, the Placentia Police Department, who investigated this case, located and arrested Clark in Lakewood.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Scott Simmons of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 16NF2149 / August 18, 2016