| For Immediate Release Case # 09HF0844 June 17, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN FACES TRIAL FOR 1994 NEWPORT BEACH COLD CASE MURDER FOR FINANCIAL GAIN OF LOVER’S BENEFACTOR
*Former girlfriend is also charged and awaiting trial in this case
SANTA ANA – A man faces trial Monday for the 1994 cold case shooting-murder of his lover’s benefactor-boyfriend in his Newport Beach home. Eric Andrew Naposki, 44, Greenwich, CT, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder for financial gain with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday, June 20, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
The victim’s girlfriend Nanette Ann Packard, formerly Nanette Ann Johnston, 45, Ladera Ranch, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder for financial gain and faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. She is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing July 8, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
In 1991, Packard is accused of meeting and dating Bill McLaughlin. The wealthy victim had a successful medical technology business and began financially supporting Packard. Packard, who was divorced with two children, is accused of living in a beach-front home owned by McLaughlin and also with the victim in his bay-front home.
While in a relationship and being supported by McLaughlin, Packard is accused of also dating Naposki, a former National Football League linebacker for the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Naposki worked as a bouncer at the Thunderbird Nightclub, which was located in Newport Beach only 131 yards from the victim’s home.
Packard is accused of convincing Naposki to murder McLaughlin for financial gain. She is accused of providing Naposki with a key to the victim’s home and providing him with information about McLaughlin’s schedule and when he was expected to be at the house. Packard is accused of having a $1 million life insurance policy on the victim and having provisions in his will that she would receive $150,000 in the event of his death and would have the right to live in his beach house rent free for one year.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 15, 1994, Naposki is accused of entering McLaughlin’s home using the house key and shooting the victim six times while he was standing in the kitchen. McLaughlin’s son, a young adult who suffered brain damage as a result of being hit by a drunken driver, was upstairs listening to music and heard the gunshots. The victim’s son found his murdered father and called 911.
Naposki is accused of fleeing the scene and going to work. Naposki was scheduled to work at 9:00 p.m. that night and is accused of showing up late.