Former NFL linebacker sentenced to life in prison
No possibility of parole
SANTA ANA, Calif.—A former NFL linebacker who killed his lover's wealthy live-in boyfriend in his Newport Beach home so the couple could loot his savings and collect on a $1 million life insurance policy was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Eric Andrew Naposki, 45, was convicted last year for shooting 55-year- old Bill McLaughlin on Dec. 15, 1994.
Naposki's lover, 46-year-old Nanette Ann Packard McNeal, was convicted in January for her part in the murder conspiracy and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in May.
The two were expected to be sentenced together in May, but Naposki won another delay so his attorneys could argue for a new trial.
In court today, Naposki gave a lengthy statement professing his innocence. At one point during the hearing, he got into a verbal exchange with one of McLaughlin's daughters, who had called Naposki a liar.
Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy built his case against Packard McNeal on circumstantial evidence that included her actions before and after the killing, noting she embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from McLaughlin.
Packard McNeal, who was known as Nanette Johnston at the time of the murder, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year in jail in 1996 for stealing about $500,000 from McLaughlin.
Naposki played three games with the New England Patriots in 1988 and one each with the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts in 1989.
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Former NFL receiver Titus Young remained in jail today for suspicion of breaking into a San Clemente home, his third arrest in a week.
This time, the 23-year-old ex-St. Louis Ram was arrested about 11:30 p.m. Friday in the 3700 block of Calle Casino, where Young fled on foot when officers arrived.
COMPTON, Calif. — A teenage girl was convicted today of two counts of first-degree murder for her role in the killings of her mother and stepfather in the family’s Compton mobile home.
Jurors deliberated for about four hours before reaching a verdict in the trial of Cynthia Alvarez, 16.
COMPTON, Calif. — A 16-year-old girl charged with murdering her mother and stepfather tearfully told a Compton jury today that she did not take part in the killings and blamed her boyfriend for them.
Cynthia Alvarez testified that she was outside her family’s Compton mobile home when she heard her mother shout her name and later heard her boyfriend, Giovanni Gallardo, call for her, the Los Angeles Times reported.
When she went back inside the home, she found her mother dead, she testified, according to The Times.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A grand jury indictment unsealed today charges a man with murdering two women and one man and injuring two other people during a shooting spree last October at a business and a home in Downey.
Jade Douglas Harris, 30, pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court to 10 felony counts, including three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, four counts of kidnapping for carjacking and one count of being a felon with a firearm.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A 60-year-old woman was ordered today to stand trial for the shooting death of her 79-year-old aunt, who was the mother of a Los Angeles Police Department training officer.
Barbara Jean Davenport is charged with murder and robbery in connection with the June 2, 2012, slaying of Cleo Hughes.
The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation that Hughes was killed during a robbery or attempted robbery.
