Crime & Safety

Ex-Linebacker Guilty in Newport Millionaire's Murder

Eric Naposki faces life in prison without parole for the 1994 murder of Bill McLaughlin.

A former professional football player was convicted Thursday of first degree murder for financial gain in the killing of his lover’s boyfriend, a millionaire who lived in Newport Beach.

Eric Andrew Naposki, 44, is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 21 for the December 1994 murder of Bill McLaughlin. He faces life in prison without parole.

Jurors took about a day to reach the verdict. When it was read in court, Naposki shook his head then smiled and winked at his fiancee, saying “Don't worry, babe, everyone makes
mistakes, including those 12,” according to Susan Kang Schroeder of the Orange County District Attorney's Office, who was near the defendant.

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Naposki played three games with the New England Patriots in 1988 and one each with the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts in 1989. He and co-defendant Nanette Ann Packard are accused of killing McLaughlin, 55, to steal the $1.5 million he had in savings and collect on a $1 million life insurance policy. Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy said during the trial that Naposki shot McLaughlin six times in the chest.

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Authorities said Packard, 45, was involved romatically with both McLaughlin and Naposki.

Packard, who is set to go to trial later this year, supplied Naposki with keys to enter McLaughlin’s  gated Balboa Coves neighborhood and his house, along with telling him when McLaughlin would be home, Murphy said.

“My Dad is honored today,” said McLaughlin's daughter, Kim McLaughlin, after the verdict. “One down, one to go,” she added, referring to Packard.

— City News Service

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