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Former NFL Player, Housewife Arrested in Cold Case Murder
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NEWPORT BEACH -- A former NFL linebacker pleaded not guilty Thursday to killing a California businessman for financial gain in 1994.
Napolski, who was a linebacker in the late 1980s for the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, is charged with one count of murder in the December 1994 shooting of 55-year-old millionaire William Francis McLaughlin.
Authorities say Napolski was romantically linked with McLaughlin's girlfriend, Nanette Ann Packard McNeal, who stood to collect $1 million in life insurance from McLaughlin's death.
She is also charged with one felony count of murder for financial gain. Napolski, the alleged triggerman, faces an additional enhancement for the personal use of a firearm.
If convicted, the defendants each face life with out the possibiity of parole.
Naposki was arrested at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut and was extradited to California to stand trial.
Packard McNeal was arrested at her Orange County home.
Police say Packard McNeal, 43, met McLaughlin, after he responded to a personal ad which read "I know how to take care of my man if he knows how to take care of me."
McLaughlin had a successful medical technology business and began dating and financially supporting Packard McNeal.
At the same time, Packard McNeal had another boyfriend, Naposki, according to police. Naposki worked as a bouncer at a local nightclub near the victim's home.
Authorities say Packard McNeal convinced Naposki to murder McLaughlin for financial gain. She is accused of giving him a key to the victim's home and his schedule.
She allegedly had a $1 million life insurance policy on the victim. His will also provided $150,000 to Packard McNeal in the event of his death.
On December 15, 1994, Naposki entered McLauglin's home and shot the victim six times while he was standing in the kitchen, according to police.
The victim's son heard the gunshots and called 9-1-1.
The same day, Packard McNeal wrote a $250,000 check from McLaughlin's accounts and deposited it into her personal account, police say.
Packard McNeal was charged in 1995 with grand theft by the Orange County District attorney's office for stealing close to $500,000 from McLaughlin before and after his murder.
She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail. But she was never charged with his murder until now.
Police had long considered the two suspects in the case but never recovered a murder weapon. Both Packard McNeal and Naposki denied they were involved in the crime.
Police started re-investigating the crime after new evidence was found, but they declined to say what evidence that might be.
Napolski, who was a linebacker in the late 1980s for the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, is charged with one count of murder in the December 1994 shooting of 55-year-old millionaire William Francis McLaughlin.
Authorities say Napolski was romantically linked with McLaughlin's girlfriend, Nanette Ann Packard McNeal, who stood to collect $1 million in life insurance from McLaughlin's death.
She is also charged with one felony count of murder for financial gain. Napolski, the alleged triggerman, faces an additional enhancement for the personal use of a firearm.
If convicted, the defendants each face life with out the possibiity of parole.
Naposki was arrested at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut and was extradited to California to stand trial.
Packard McNeal was arrested at her Orange County home.
Police say Packard McNeal, 43, met McLaughlin, after he responded to a personal ad which read "I know how to take care of my man if he knows how to take care of me."
McLaughlin had a successful medical technology business and began dating and financially supporting Packard McNeal.
At the same time, Packard McNeal had another boyfriend, Naposki, according to police. Naposki worked as a bouncer at a local nightclub near the victim's home.
Authorities say Packard McNeal convinced Naposki to murder McLaughlin for financial gain. She is accused of giving him a key to the victim's home and his schedule.
She allegedly had a $1 million life insurance policy on the victim. His will also provided $150,000 to Packard McNeal in the event of his death.
On December 15, 1994, Naposki entered McLauglin's home and shot the victim six times while he was standing in the kitchen, according to police.
The victim's son heard the gunshots and called 9-1-1.
The same day, Packard McNeal wrote a $250,000 check from McLaughlin's accounts and deposited it into her personal account, police say.
Packard McNeal was charged in 1995 with grand theft by the Orange County District attorney's office for stealing close to $500,000 from McLaughlin before and after his murder.
She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail. But she was never charged with his murder until now.
Police had long considered the two suspects in the case but never recovered a murder weapon. Both Packard McNeal and Naposki denied they were involved in the crime.
Police started re-investigating the crime after new evidence was found, but they declined to say what evidence that might be.
She was caught with the money & Naposki was late to work which was 500 yards away - TIME FOR BOTH TO PAY FOR THE CRIME
JR @ 9:49 PM PDT, Jun 18, 2009
I know Eric! Great individual! Good friend. Our prayers are with him.
XT @ 2:14 PM PDT, May 22, 2009
I worked for Eric. I am shocked. He was a nice gentleman. If this is true, I agree that he should pay for his crime.
Shocked @ 11:58 AM PDT, May 22, 2009
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